On December 29, 2016, Tianjin University announced the reintegration of the School of Science and the establishment of the School of Mathematics.

The development of the newly established School of Mathematics will focus on the discipline of mathematics. Mathematics related programs, institutions, faculty and students of the former School of Science as well as the Center for Applied Mathematics at Tianjin University are now incorporated into the School of Mathematics.

The former departments of physics and chemistry of the former School of Science were reintegrated into the new School of Science.

In a speech, Party Secretary Li Jiajun stated that the reintegration of the School of Science and the establishment of the School of Mathematics were the major steps to advance the coordinated development of “Double First-class” strategy, that is the development of a world-class university and world-class disciplines. This followed the development policy of Tianjin University becoming a comprehensive university.

Towards achieving “Double First-class” status, Tianjin University has mapped out its overall development goals using a “three-step” development strategy, striving to develop a comprehensive, research-oriented, progressive and internationalized leading university. The University has made great efforts to enhance the development of basic disciplines, improve the overall level of disciplines, and to take advantage of the strengths of a number of established disciplines.

Professor Sun Xiaotao, winner of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars and of the Second Prize of the National Natural Science Award, was appointed as the first Dean of the School. According to Professor Sun, the School will develop into a high quality school, with strong fundamentals, complete research facilities going forward in multiple directions and guided by a pro-active academic faculty.

Editors: Sun Xiaofang and Ross Colquhoun