Recently, the results of the 2025 Special Qualification Evaluation of Degree Authorization Programs by the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council were released. The **First-Level Disciplinary Doctoral Program in Civil Engineering** at Shantou University delivered an outstanding performance in this key evaluation: all review experts voted "Qualified", achieving a perfect pass with zero negative votes and receiving the conclusion of "Recommended for Continued Authorization". This is not only a successful evaluation result, but also a full recognition by the Disciplinary Appraisal Group of the Ministry of Education of the program’s 40 years of educational accumulation, outstanding scientific research contributions, and high-quality talent training. Deep Roots Yield Strong Growth: Strength Forges a Path of Excellence As a key discipline of Shantou University, Civil Engineering launched its undergraduate program in 1985. After more than 40 years of development, it has established a complete talent training system covering bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels. The program was approved as a doctoral program in the second-level discipline of Structural Engineering in 2003, upgraded to a first-level doctoral program in Civil Engineering in 2020, and obtained a Postdoctoral Research Station in Civil Engineering in 2022. The successful passing of this periodic evaluation represents an important inspection of the discipline’s long-term construction achievements, and its unanimous approval fully reflects its solid foundation in discipline development and talent cultivation. Distinguished Scholars and Strong Platforms Empower Cutting-Edge Innovation High-quality development of discipline construction relies on a strong faculty and research platforms.
At present, the discipline has a well-structured and innovative academic team. Among its full-time teachers are top industry scholars and outstanding young and middle-aged academics, many of whom have been selected into various national and provincial talent programs, demonstrating strong teaching and research capabilities. The discipline has built comprehensive experimental research platforms equipped with professional instruments and equipment, providing solid support for cutting-edge research and engineering applications in civil engineering. Research for Application: Serving National and Regional Development The discipline has always committed to applying research to real-world needs, focusing on national priorities and academic frontiers such as structural health monitoring, intelligent construction and operation, and engineering disaster prevention and mitigation. In recent years, it has undertaken numerous projects from the National Natural Science Foundation of China and provincial and ministerial authorities, achieving a series of landmark results with independent intellectual property rights. These technologies have been applied in major bridges, buildings and transportation projects in eastern Guangdong and across the country, translating into tangible productivity and safety guarantees, demonstrating the strong sense of social responsibility of Shantou University. Cultivating Talents: Bringing Up Outstanding Professionals In talent training, the discipline has deepened engineering education reform and continuously improved the quality of postgraduate education. Over the past five years, graduate employment rates have remained high, and most alumni have become technical backbones in construction, transportation, municipal administration and other sectors, supplying a large number of high-quality talents for national infrastructure development. The continued authorization of the doctoral program will further strengthen the discipline’s advantages in talent cultivation, scientific research and social services, laying a solid foundation for aligning with major national strategic needs and serving regional economic and social development. Looking Ahead: Scaling New Heights with Resolve Riding the tide, we set sail for a new journey. This excellent evaluation result is a milestone and a new starting point. Taking this opportunity, the Civil Engineering discipline at Shantou University will refine its discipline construction based on experts’ suggestions, further strengthen its distinctive features and core strengths, and deepen integration with international frontiers and industrial demands. It aims to become a highland for talent training, an engine for scientific and technological innovation, and a model for social services with significant influence at home and abroad, contributing more wisdom and strength to the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the modernization of national infrastructure.
Text: School of Engineering
