Tsinghua ISSU E 40 September 2018 Tsinghua University holds the First International Forum on Engineering Education Yigong Shi’s group reports on the structure of auto- somal dominant polycystic kidney disease related to the PKD1/PKD2 complex China Theory Week 2018 launched Tsinghua University holds the First International Forum on Engineering Education On September 24th, the first Chinese Academy of Engineering of UNESCO, as well as Tsinghua Pres- International Forum on Engineering and Chairman of the Advisory Com- ident Qiu Yong, Vice President You Education opened in the Main Build- mittee of UNESCO’s International Zheng, and the Vice Chairpersons ing of Tsinghua University. Attending Engineering Education Center, Mari- of Tsinghua University Council Xie the forum were Li Xiaohong, Pres- elza Oliveira, Director of UNESCO’s Weihe and Yuan Si. The opening cer- ident of the Chinese Academy of Beijing Office, Wu Qidi, Director of emony of the forum was hosted by Engineering, Zhou Ji, Honorary the International Center for Engi- Chen Xu, Chairperson of Tsinghua Chairman of the Presidium of the neering Education under the auspices University Council. Themed “Innovation and Devel- opment of Engineering Education”, this forum aims to bring together renowned scholars and outstanding leaders worldwide in the fields of engineering education, engineering technology, and engineering man- agement to discuss the innovation and development of engineering education, promote the progress of world engineering technology and society, and meet major global chal- lenges. Jointly sponsored by Tsinghua TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER | September 2 University, the Chinese Academy of Engineering and UNESCO, the forum was attended by more than 150 experts, scholars and industry representatives from prestigious uni- versities, international organizations, academic communities and enterpris- es in nearly 20 countries or regions. At the opening ceremony, Li Xiao- hong noted in his welcome address that the development of engineering technology is an important symbol of human social progress, and education is an important factor affecting the movement of the world science and technology center. With the accel- eration of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transfor- mation, engineering education has heralded a new stage of development. China is attaching great importance to engineering education in the new era, striving to contribute its wisdom to international engineering educa- tion. Oriented to the fourth industrial revolution, this forum would hold exchanges and discussions around future engineering education, which and help people to understand the the founding of the People’s Republic he believed would inspire new and development of new technologies. of China, especially since the reform different thinking. At the opening ceremony, Presi- and opening up, China’s engineer- Marielza Oliveira said she was dent Qiu delivered a plenary speech ing education has developed rapidly, very pleased to have the chance to entitled “Engineering Education: For and China has worked out a path of discuss cutting-edge issues of engi- a Better Home of Mankind”. On behalf engineering education development neering education with experts and of Tsinghua University, President that suited to its national conditions, scholars in academia and industries. At Qiu extended a warm welcome to all which plays an important role in pro- present, engineering education needs the guests. He noted that engineering moting the country’s modernization. to be more inclusive and sustainable, has created the world in which we Committed to outstanding engineer- to promote lifelong learning, enhance live, and engineering education will ing education, Tsinghua University team spirit and social responsibility, determine our future world. Since has trained a large number of out- standing engineers and technicians, making important contributions to the country’s industrialization. President Qiu pointed out that in order to meet the challenges, the international engineering education community has been considering and taking active measures. This forum will discuss in depth the new concept of engineering education and plan for the future of engineering education. He believed that with the joint efforts of the world community, the voice of 3 September | TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER engineering education will be heard of engineering to society, and com- experimental learning; select top more widely in the world, the goal of prehensively enhance the influence talents and teachers worldwide, engineering education development of engineering and engineering edu- strengthen international exchanges will become clearer, and the action cation in society. Finally, President and cooperation and jointly promote plan dedicated to training outstand- Qiu said that we should, with a lofty the development of engineering edu- ing engineering talents will be more vision of the world, the future and cation. coordinated. all mankind, promote the innovation Natacha DePaola, Chair of the President Qiu also stressed that and development of engineering edu- Global Engineering Deans Council future-oriented engineering educa- cation and jointly train outstanding (GEDC), delivered a plenary speech tion should serve to build a better engineering and scientific talents to entitled “Maximizing Impact through home for mankind. He put forward build a better home for mankind. Synergy: a Global Perspective”. the following suggestions for future Richard Lester, Vice Provost of DePaola noted that engineering is engineering education: strengthen the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- the core of the development of global the education of responsibility aware- nology, delivered a plenary speech industry 4.0, and innovation must be ness, train engineers with a strong entitled “Innovations in Engineer- realized through collaboration. Spe- sense of social responsibility, engi- ing Education”. Lester elaborated on cifically, we should accelerate the neers with noble ethics, engineers MIT’s practice of coping with the development of platforms and tools with a soul; strengthen the cultivation new trend of international engineer- suitable for global collaboration; we of innovative ability and strive to cul- ing education: encourage students should reform teaching methods and tivate innovative talents in the field to select courses and study across train high-quality talents to meet of engineering technology; strength- departments and schools; urge stu- future challenges; we should, through en communication and cooperation, dents to interact with diverse groups in-depth dialogue with industries, and strengthen understanding and by setting up study groups and realize the integration of production, exchange, to timely and accurate- achieve a balance between class- teaching and research, and seek holis- ly convey the information and value room learning, digital learning and tic solutions. The opening ceremony was fol- lowed by a university presidents’ forum and a sub-group forum. The presidents will deliver plenary reports and discussions on the following themes: “The Challenge of Engineer- ing Education and the Development of First-class Engineering Universi- ty” and “Engineering Education for Sustainable Development”. At the same time, nearly 50 experts, schol- ars and enterprise representatives will speak and discuss in groups about the new mode of industrial-academ- ic cooperation, the cultivation of practical competence in engineering, artificial intelligence and innovation in engineering education, interna- tional cooperation and innovation in engineering education, innovative practices in engineering education, innovation and entrepreneurship education, engineering ethics educa- tion and the diversity of engineering education, among others. TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER | September 4 Yigong Shi’s group reports on the structure of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease related to the PKD1/PKD2 complex The kidney is an important living the kidneys need to excrete blood hyperlipidemia are important causes organ of the human body. It has from the organs and supply it to more of chronic kidney disease. According many physiological functions such as important organs (e.g. the heart and to the National Institute of Health, excreting metabolic products, regu- brain). While of such great impor- the prevalence of chronic kidney dis- lating water and electrolyte balance tance, the kidneys, however, are ease in US adults (approximately 200 and the endocrine system. Under a among those most vulnerable organs. million in total) has reached 11.3%. variety of pathological conditions, Genetic factors, hyperglycemia and Autosomal dominant polycystic 5 September | TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER kidney disease (ADPKD) is one of the most important causes of chron- ic kidney disease, with an incidence of 1/400-1/1000. About 12 million patients worldwide are affected by this disease. The bilateral kidneys of the patient gradually produce fluid-filled vesicles with increasing age, squeez- ing and destroying the surrounding normal tissues. About 50% of patients develop end-stage renal failure, requiring heterologous kidney trans- plantation or life-long hemodialysis. There are about 1.5 million patients with this disease in China. Every year, tens of thousands of patients are Figure 1: A. schematic diagram of the topology of human PKD1 and PKD2 proteins. B. The overall structure of human PKD1 and PKD2 on the waiting list for donated kidney