The abundance of green leaves, the blossoming of summer flowers, and the graduates in academic robes taking photos on campus all mark the arrival of graduation. For most students, the journey to graduation is challenging and rewarding. What graduation is? A beginning, a possibility, and a new journey.
For the graduates, their dining experiences, campus scenery, and the time spent with friends and classmates are the most precious memories. Here we have compiled some fantastic facts and stories about campus sceneries in TJU.
Zheng Dong Library
Located in Peiyang Park Campus, Zheng Dong Library was designed by Tianjin University alumni, Zhou Kai and his team. He was also the chief Chinese architect of Beijing Olympic Park. On the occasion of the 120 year anniversary of Tianjin University, Zheng Dong, who was admitted to TJU in 1988, donated RMB 50,000,000 to the education fund as a gift. In order to express their thanks to him, TJU decided to name the landmark library, “Zheng Dong Library”.
Seeking Truth Road
Seeking Truth Road is located along the central axis of Peiyang New Campus between the Three Questions Bridge and Zheng Dong Library. As the axis of the campus, the main building, teaching buildings, library, The Student Center and a series of buildings are spread out along this road. The name “Seeking Truth Road”comes from the Tianjin University motto “seeking truth from facts”.
The Main Building
The Main Building in TJU Peiyang Campus is designed by Cui Kai and his team, a member of the China Engineering Academy, who was admitted to TJU in 1981 and once served as the Chinese chief planner of Olympic venues. The design concept of the main building is open. The building and square library together form a layout of “round sky and square land", thus “echoing each other at a distance”in space.
The East Gate
The main gate of Peiyang Campus was designed by Professor Peng Yigang, a member of the China Academy of Science and honorary dean of the School of Architecture. In front of the gate stand 12 stone plinths, each of them engraved with a particular time period, symbolizing the 120-year history of Tianjin University.
Xuanhuai Square
Xuanhuai Square is named after the first name of Sheng Xuanhuai, who was the first supervisor and founder of Peiyang University (Tianjin University). In the square also stands Peiyang University Memorial commemorating the glorious history of the university. The image of the ring on the square and the design of Peiyang University Memorial signify a history of a flourishing university and also contains an education guiding principle “it takes three generations to make a gentleman”.
Three Questions Bridge
The name of Three Questions Bridge originated from Zhang Hanying, the former Vice Minister of the Chinese Ministry of Water Resources and the former president of Peiyang University. A banner with words: “Do you understand it? Can you do it? Do you dare to do it?” hung in his office. It was Zhang Hanying's interpretation of the motto “seeking truth from facts”and also acted as a guide to all teachers and students in Tianjin University when encountering problems.
The Motto Stone
In order to celebrate the 120 year anniversary and motivate the students of Tianjin University to bear in mind the motto “seeking truth from facts”, the motto stone was designed by the Design Institute of Tianjin University. It was built using donations from all alumni of the mechining, casting, welding, forging and metallurgical classes, who were admitted to TJU in 1982. The motto stone is 18 meters long, 1 meter wide and 3.5 meters high. On its north side is the motto “seeking truth from facts”, inscribed by Mr. Zhao Tianlin. The rock texture on its south side is just like a huge tree with deep roots and lush branches and leaves, which symbolizes Peiyang University's long history and bright future.
Datong Student Center
Datong Student Center in Peiyang Campus was designed by the famous architect Qi Xin and his team. Viewed from afar, the building and surrounding buildings on the same axis make a stark contrast to the nearby open natural landscape. On the occasion of the 120 year anniversary of Tianjin University, a former student admitted in 1983, Li Zhantong, the chairman of the Datong Group board, donated a sum of money to set up “Tianjin University Education Fund”. In order to express their thanks to him, TJU decided to name the student center the “Datong Student Center”.
By: Qin Mian
