On April 27-28, 2024, the TJU-QUB North-West Low Carbon Clean Energy Workshop was successfully held at the Peiyangyuan Campus of Tianjin University.

The workshop was co-organized by the School of Chemical Engineering and Technology of Tianjin University and the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Queen's University Belfast. Researchers from Inner Mongolia University, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Ecological Environment and Low Carbon Development Center, Inner Mongolia Electric Power Economy and Technology Research Institute, and PetroChina Kunlun Gas Company Limited, Inner Mongolia Branch were invited to participate in the event.

First of all, Professor Gong Jinlong, Vice President of Tianjin University, and Professor David Rooney, International Director of the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Queen's University Belfast, delivered speeches to congratulate the successful opening of the workshop and warmly welcomed all attendees. Vice Dean Liu Guozhu of the School of Chemical Engineering and Technology hosted the opening ceremony.

The workshop focused on low-carbon technologies, renewable and clean energy, catalyst design and preparation, biomedical materials and technologies, energy storage materials, energy and power and intelligent control systems, circular economy, as well as artificial intelligence and environmental and ecological issues in the above fields. Experts from Tianjin University, Queen's University Belfast, Inner Mongolia University, Inner Mongolia University of Technology, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Ecological Environment and Low Carbon Development Center, Inner Mongolia Power Economy and Technology Research Institute, and PetroChina Kunlun Gas Co. Power Economy and Technology Research Institute, and PetroChina Kunlun Gas Company Limited Inner Mongolia Branch were invited to make academic reports, exchange and share research ideas, technological insights and industrial needs, in order to explore innovative solutions, seek cooperation between China and the U.K. in multidisciplinary cooperation, and make contributions to the sustainable development of the world.

Finally, professor David Rooney of Queen's University Belfast and Vice Dean Han You of the School of Chemical Engineering and Technology made concluding remarks.

After the workshop, the Chinese and British universities organized a roundtable forum, introducing more details about each institute’s results of educational and scientific researches. A lively discussion on how to promote clean energy, carry out the mode of international cooperation in education and scientific research, establish partnerships, etc.

After the forum, the participants visited the Basic Experimental Teaching Center, Technical Experimental Teaching Center, Large-scale Instrument Testing Platform and Scientific Research Laboratory of the School of Chemical Engineering and Technology. The on-site visit gave the participants a deeper understanding of the School of Chemical Engineering and Technology and further enhanced their intention of joint talent training and cooperation on scientific research.

Today, all countries are facing the challenge of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). China has made a solemn commitment to the international community to reach carbon peak and carbon neutrality. Low carbon and clean energy technologies are key to combating climate change and realizing the commitment to net-zero emissions. This year’s TJU-QUB North-West Low Carbon Clean Energy Workshop built a platform for international exchanges between Chinese and foreign experts and scholars and provoked discussions on future-oriented scientific research and talent cultivation. It builds consensus among all parties, promotes exchanges and mutual understanding, and helps create a better future, facilitating the green, healthy and sustainable development of mankind.

By School of Chemical Engineering and Technology

Editor: Sun Xiaofang