Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) has officially launched its first English-taught international undergraduate degree program in Civil Engineering, welcoming 36 students from 18 countries to its inaugural cohort, the Class of 2030. The initiative marks a new step in SJTU’s internationalization efforts and its exploration of innovative approaches to engineering education in response to the evolving needs of the global construction industry.

Launch Ceremony Welcomes the Inaugural Class
The launch ceremony brought together representatives from the university, government agencies and leading construction enterprises, along with alumni and the inaugural cohort.
Distinguished guests included Kutbiddin Ubaydullaev, Deputy Consul General of Uzbekistan in Shanghai; Wu Jie, Deputy Director and First-Level Inspector of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development; Liu Weidong, Vice President of SJTU; and representatives from relevant university departments and industry partners. The ceremony was chaired by Yang Jian, Program Director and Tenured Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering.

In his welcome address, Liu Weidong noted that 2026 marks the 130th anniversary of SJTU. Internationalization has long been an integral part of the university’s identity, and the launch of the program represents a concrete step toward advancing its Global SJTU strategy. He expressed the hope that the program would serve as a model for international development, a pilot initiative integrating education, science and technology, and talent development, and a bridge fostering mutual understanding among peoples along the Belt and Road. He encouraged the inaugural cohort to become outstanding engineers with strong professional foundations and a global outlook, as well as ambassadors of friendship connecting China with the world.

Wu Jie congratulated SJTU on the launch on behalf of the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. He highlighted the contributions of SJTU’s civil engineering discipline to major projects in Shanghai, including Shanghai Tower and the Shanghai Eastern Hub project. As Shanghai’s engineering, construction and consulting enterprises expand their international operations, there is a growing need for professionals who combine solid technical expertise with knowledge of Chinese and international engineering standards and the ability to work effectively in local contexts. He expressed the expectation that the program would engage closely with Shanghai’s urban development and cultivate talent to support Chinese engineering enterprises operating overseas, particularly in Belt and Road partner countries.

Following the addresses, representatives from the university, government and industry jointly activated the launch mechanism, officially inaugurating the program.
Chen Jinjian, Vice Dean of the School of Ocean and Civil Engineering and Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, introduced the program’s educational objectives, curriculum, faculty and practical training platforms.
The program attracted applications from 33 countries in its inaugural recruitment cycle. Ultimately, 36 students from 18 countries across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas enrolled, forming SJTU’s first international undergraduate cohort in Civil Engineering.

Eda Akgul from Türkiye and Ambinintsoa from Madagascar spoke on behalf of the new students, sharing their passion for civil engineering and their aspirations for studying at SJTU in light of the infrastructure development needs of their home countries. Guests and alumni presented university badges to the students and helped them don SJTU baseball caps. The cohort then sang Stand by Me, expressing their hopes for the future and their commitment to learning and growing together.
Responding to Global Needs in Civil Engineering
The program was first formally proposed on December 6, 2025, at the SJTU Civil Engineering Development Forum marking the 40th anniversary of the Department of Civil Engineering’s re-establishment. It reflects the discipline’s proactive response to profound changes in the construction industry and its commitment to exploring new pathways for engineering education.
Although the industry is undergoing significant adjustment, global demand for infrastructure development, renewal and connectivity continues to grow. The Belt and Road Initiative is strengthening connections across Asia, Europe, Africa and other regions, creating an increasing need for engineers capable of working across different technical, regulatory and cultural environments.
In response, SJTU’s civil engineering discipline is integrating emerging fields—including smart construction, green and low-carbon development, urban renewal, and safety and resilience—into disciplinary development and talent cultivation. Internationalization is a key part of this effort, with the aim of bringing engineering education into closer alignment with global engineering practice.
In 2025, SJTU’s civil engineering discipline ranked among the world’s top 30 in all four major subject rankings cited by the university. The Department of Civil Engineering has more than 60 full-time faculty members, over 80% of whom have overseas study or research experience, providing a strong academic and international foundation for the program.
The program also addresses a practical challenge facing Chinese engineering enterprises expanding overseas: the shortage of professionals who understand Chinese engineering practices and standards while also being familiar with local markets, cultures and working environments. By combining training in Chinese, US and European engineering standards with advanced subjects such as smart construction and green building, the program aims to prepare graduates to contribute to international engineering projects and the localized operations of Chinese enterprises overseas.
Industry-Integrated Education for International Engineering Practice
The program’s educational model is built on three pillars: close industry collaboration, university-wide support and a diversified curriculum tailored to international engineering practice.
Industry collaboration connects education with real-world projects. During the ceremony, Wang Benlong, Vice Dean of the School of Ocean and Civil Engineering, presented plaques recognizing China Communications Construction Company Third Harbor Consultants Co., Ltd., China Construction Eighth Engineering Division Corp., Ltd., and Shanghai Construction Group Co., Ltd. as International Engineering Talent Development and Practice Bases.

Building on SJTU’s longstanding partnerships with leading Chinese construction enterprises, the program will deepen cooperation in joint curriculum development, international engineering practice, the “3+1” collaborative education model and graduate employment pathways. Through engagement with authentic engineering projects, students will develop technical competence, project management skills, an understanding of engineering standards and a strong sense of professional responsibility. This approach seeks to strengthen the connection between international education and the overseas development of China’s construction industry.

University-wide collaboration provides a strong foundation. Fu Shixiao, Dean of the School of Ocean and Civil Engineering, presented certificates of appreciation to 10 supporting schools, colleges and academic units, including the School of Mathematical Sciences, the School of Physics and Astronomy, the School of Humanities, the School of Psychology and the Physical Education Department. Their contributions to curriculum development and program design reflect a coordinated university-wide commitment to the program.
A diversified curriculum develops professional and cross-cultural capabilities. The curriculum comprises five modules: foundational courses, core professional courses, localized engineering practice, intercultural competence and practical training. Together, they form an integrated educational pathway spanning admission, student development and career preparation.
The curriculum emphasizes comparative learning of Chinese, US and European engineering standards. Smart construction modules incorporate the practical experience of leading Chinese enterprises, while specialized courses cover international construction project management, localized construction technologies, engineering Chinese and technical communication, and cross-cultural teamwork. Internships in China and abroad, together with graduation design projects, will further strengthen students’ ability to address complex engineering challenges in real-world settings.
From Shanghai to Belt and Road partner countries, and from SJTU’s classrooms to engineering sites around the world, the program aims to cultivate civil engineers who understand Chinese engineering practices, are familiar with international engineering standards, and can communicate and collaborate effectively across cultures.
Building on SJTU’s academic strengths, industry partnerships and international resources, the program will continue to explore new approaches to international engineering education and contribute to cooperation in global infrastructure development.