I. Introduction to Zhili College

Zhili College was established by Tsinghua University in 2020 and a key part of the university’s initiative to reform undergraduate education. The college cultivates talent in STEM fields such as Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, and Information and Computational Science. Leveraging Tsinghua’s robust resources in science education and research, Zhili College is committed to cultivate talent by creating a specialized curriculum that integrates foundational courses, advanced specialized courses, and innovative research practices. Through its curriculum, Zhili College strives to reinforce foundational knowledge, expand general education, promote interdisciplinary learning, and foster innovation.

II. Cultivating Talent at Zhili College

1. Innovative Talent Cultivation Curriculum

In response to the future needs of education, Zhili College has integrated an honors degree program and an interdisciplinary innovation program into its curriculum, providing flexible academic plans to support each student's individual growth. The curriculum emphasizes a strong foundation in the sciences, and encourages students to explore their academic potential through challenging honors courses and tiered course design. Students are inspired to challenge themselves based on their academic interests, helping them develop the ambition, courage, and confidence needed for future innovation. Additionally, besides the five majors in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, and Information and Computational Science, students with interest in interdisciplinary science can also take either of the two interdisciplinary majors: Chemical Biology and Basic Science of Mathematics and Physics.

2. Customized College-Specific Courses

Zhili college strengthens the specialized courses on top of a sound base of general scientific courses issued by the School of Sciences at Tsinghua University. Zhili College has revamped the curriculum to incorporate the latest research findings and implemented innovative multi-faceted teaching approaches. This has led to the development of specialized honors courses tailored to the college. Furthermore, Zhili College has launched a series of small-group seminars and research training courses to inspire its students to become creative critical thinkers, practical problem-solvers, and academics with a global perspective. The integration of the five disciplines at Zhili College provides fertile ground for developing talent for future emerging disciplines. By offering exploratory courses on major scientific issues and encouraging collaboration among students from different academic backgrounds, the college lays a solid foundation for solving complex multidisciplinary problems.

3. Teacher-Student Mentorship Culture: “Congyou”

Congyou: Nurturing/Fostering a Follower/an Apprentice Culture in an all-round approach that signifies the big fish leads the way and the smaller one follows.

Zhili College has established a talent cultivation advisory group, inviting renowned scholars such as Prof. Shing-Tung Yau, Prof. Zhu Bangfen, Prof. Li Yadong, Prof. Wang Zhixin, and Prof. Wu Jianping to guide the college’s educational efforts. The college has set up the “Congyou Mentorship Lecture”, where esteemed figures in talent cultivation and scientific research share knowledge across disciplines, broadening students’ knowledge and expanding their perspectives. The college also launched the “Xiaodong Science Initiation” undergraduate talent cultivation program, led by Academician Wang Xiaodong, providing aspiring students with ample opportunities for growth in foundational scientific research. Furthermore, Zhili College organizes a series of activities, including the “Qingli Bachelor's Mentorship Festival”, “Qingli Academic Festival”, “Qingli Micro-Salons”, “Qingli Moments”, and the “Spring Tea Session - Women’s Career Development Symposium”, to foster a Congyou mentorship culture where “the big fish leads the way and the smaller one follows.” These activities aim to encourage students to engage in intellectual exchanges, explore the frontiers of knowledge, and innovate across disciplines. Each year, Zhili College invites over one hundred distinguished faculty members from across the university to serve as college mentors, focusing on moral education and student development. They provide guidance on academic progress, research, as well as mental and physical well-being. In addition to being excellent teachers and problem-solvers, the mentors are committed to imparting wisdom by helping students discover their academic passions, ignite their intellectual curiosity, and serve as trusted guides, role models, and supporters throughout their academic journeys.

Contact information

Phone number: 86-10-62776404

Email: zlsy@tsinghua.edu.cn

Website: www.zlc.tsinghua.edu.cn