On the afternoon of April 10, 2026, the lecture hall at the Foundation College, No. 1100 Jungong Road, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, was filled with a seated audience and frequent bursts of applause. The Materials and Chemistry School Academic Program Introduction Session, hosted by the School of Materials and Chemistry, was held here with great success. Zhang Kaixiang, Secretary of the School's Youth League Committee and Student Counselor, served as the host. Leaders of the school, corporate executives, outstanding alumni, and current student representatives gathered together to present a knowledge-rich and substantive feast of academic program awareness and career planning for over 200 first-year students.
At the beginning of the event, Zhang Kaixiang opened with an enthusiastic welcome speech. On behalf of the School of Materials and Chemistry, he extended a warm welcome to the distinguished guests present and expressed sincere gratitude to the students for their active participation. He introduced that the purpose of this information session was to help students gain a comprehensive understanding of the school's current development, program features, talent cultivation models, and broad career prospects, while building a bridge of communication between the school and enterprises, as well as between alumni and current students.
The first speaker was Professor Li Shengjuan, Associate Dean of the School of Materials and Chemistry. Dean Li, who has long been deeply engaged in teaching, research, and management, has a thorough grasp of the school's development trajectory. She began with the history of the school, detailing the positioning of the School of Materials and Chemistry within the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology's strategy of building a strong engineering university, its development history, and its current academic disciplines. The school adheres to an interdisciplinary integration of Materials + Chemistry + Engineering. In recent years, it has achieved remarkable results in fields such as new energy materials, semiconductor packaging materials, and green chemical processes, undertaking a number of National Natural Science Foundation projects and key Shanghai R&D initiatives. Dean Li particularly emphasized the school's focus on integrating industry and education, having established practice bases with leading companies such as Huayi Group and Huahong Group. The graduate employment rate has remained above 98% for three consecutive years, with graduates employed in sectors including semiconductors, new chemical materials, and new energy vehicles. She encouraged the students, saying, Materials and chemistry are the cornerstones supporting modern high-end manufacturing. Choose materials and chemistry, and let your talents shine!
Dean Li's comprehensive introduction drew warm applause from the entire audience and gave students a clear understanding of the school's disciplinary strengths and development direction. Next, the session moved to the corporate guest sharing segment.
Mr. Xu Dingwen, Deputy Director of the Human Resources Administration Center of Shanghai Huayi Group Co., Ltd., was the first to take the stage. Drawing on Huayi Group's practices in green chemistry and intelligent manufacturing, he systematically analyzed industry trends. He pointed out that China's chemical industry is transforming towards high-end, green, intelligent, and domestic production, and has already created numerous nationally renowned brands. Demand for new materials such as high-performance composites and bio-based chemicals is surging, while AI and big data are reshaping production processes. He put forward three core requirements for university students: first, a solid professional foundation and interdisciplinary literacy; second, a strong sense of innovation and problem-solving ability; and third, good teamwork and communication skills. What companies need are versatile talents who can hit the ground running, dare to innovate, and endure hardship, Mr. Xu emphasized. I hope students will actively participate in research projects and internships during their university years, transforming theory into productivity as early as possible.
Finally, Zhang Yilin, a class of 2024 undergraduate student majoring in Materials Science and Engineering, spoke as a representative of new students. She has received multiple honors, including the Silin Scholarship from the School of Materials and Chemistry at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Outstanding Student, Advanced Individual in Summer Social Practice, and Outstanding League Member in 2025 and 2026. Zhang Yilin shared her insights on Advice on Program Selection and Personal Plans. She candidly admitted feeling somewhat confused about her major upon entering university, but quickly fell in love with materials science through the school's courses and experimental practice in the Gezhi Class. She advised fellow students: When choosing a major, combine your interests with national needs. Materials and chemistry are key supports for 'new quality productive forces.' Don't fear challenges. Her sincere sharing drew rounds of applause.
The information session concluded with an interactive Q&A segment. Students enthusiastically asked questions about program selection, career directions, and internship opportunities, and the guests answered patiently. The atmosphere was warm and harmonious. Due to time constraints, after the Q&A session, Zhang Kaixiang, on behalf of the school, again thanked the guests and students and stated that the School of Materials and Chemistry would continue to build platforms to support students' growth and development.
This information session was not only an introduction to academic programs but also a collision of ideas and a boost of confidence. The School of Materials and Chemistry at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology consistently adheres to fostering virtue through education and integrating industry and education, cultivating high-quality talents for national strategic emerging industries. It is believed that through this event, students will move forward with firmer steps towards a bright future in their academic studies and career development.
Full text: https://chxy.usst.edu.cn/2026/0420/c3680a360051/page.htm