In order to get to know the international status of its many national science and engineering departments, find out their advantages and disadvantages, help them set up a clear development direction and thus increase international competitiveness, Peking University has decided last year to launch the International Peer Review (IPR) for each of the related departments.

From November 16th to 18th, 2014, an international committee of seven peer reviewers carried out an on-site review of the College of Engineering (COE) at Peking University (PKU). The committee included Professor Don P. Giddens from College of Engineering of Georgia Institute of Technology, Professor Iven Mareels from School of Engineering of the University of Melbourne, Professor John R. Birge from University of Chicago, Professor Frank L. Lewis from University of Texas at Arlington, Professor David Roger Jones Owen from College of Engineering of Swansea University, Professor Kent Fuchs from College of Engineering of Cornell University and Professor Xincheng Xie from School of Physics, Peking University.

The team was asked to provide a comprehensive and objective assessment of the college in terms of its research, teaching and development, threats and challenges. They were also encouraged to give any suggestions on how COE can become internationally competitive.

University leaders including Vice President Song Gao and Shiyi Chen first gave a seminar to the committee, introducing Chinese universities’ education system, science research funding management, human resource policies and graduate studies system.

Subsequently, Professor Dongxiao Zhang, Dean of COE, gave a very detailed presentation covering the college’s history timeline, vision and mission, departments, undergraduate and graduate education, faculty recruitment and promotion policy, research areas and outcome, international relations, as well as action plans to cope with the opportunities and challenges the college is facing.

In addition, the reviewers visited each of COE’s six departments and many of the laboratories and research centers. They heard reports made by the college’s main organizations, talked with faculty members, undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, as well as communicated with other related departments of Peking University, in order to get a comprehensive understanding about COE’s status.

After an intensive two-day’s investigation, internal discussions, and debriefing and discussions with PKU leadership on preliminary observations, the IPR committee members finally wrote a review report. They summarized each aspect of the college they have observed and  provided a SWOT analysis.

“We are very grateful for your hard work in the two days. The assessment and advice you have provided are very objective and valuable, which will help us move forward in the right direction. Thank you very much,” said Professor Dongxiao Zhang, Dean of COE.