On March 23, Tsinghua University held a ceremony for the conferment of Tsinghua University Chair Professorship to Professor Seeram Ramakrishna, officially welcoming the internationally renowned materials scientist to join Tsinghua University as a full-time faculty member. Qiu Yong, secretary of the CPC Tsinghua University Committee, Li Luming, president of Tsinghua University, attended the ceremony, which was presided over by Vice President Wang Hongwei.

Qiu Yong (left), Li Luming (right), Seeram Ramakrishna and his wife pose for a group photo.

Li Luming presents a letter of appointment to Seeram Ramakrishna.

Li Luming extended a warm welcome to Professor Seeram on his joining Tsinghua University on a full-time basis. He noted that Professor Seeram is a world-leading scientist in the field of nanoscience and technology, with deep ties to both China and Tsinghua University. Li expressed anticipation that, Professor Seeram will fully leverage his exceptional academic influence and leadership to produce more high-level research outcomes, nurture more outstanding talents with international perspective, and support Tsinghua’s talent cultivation, discipline construction, and scientific research to reach new heights.

Professor Seeram said that since arriving at Tsinghua University, he has gained a deep appreciation for its rich academic heritage, strong humanistic spirit, and vibrant energy. He noted that Tsinghua's internationally oriented research framework aligns perfectly with his cutting-edge research and innovative work. He added that he will fully leverage his research expertise, deeply integrate into the interdisciplinary research ecosystem, and contribute to the development of the University's discipline construction, scientific innovation, and educational undertakings through concrete actions.

Zhou Ming, dean of Tsinghua’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, stated that Professor Seeram’s appointment creates valuable opportunities for deeper interdisciplinary collaboration, including in the fields of materials science and biomedical engineering. He expressed confidence that Professor Seeram will further drive interdisciplinary innovation and continue to strengthen Tsinghua University's academic influence in these areas.

Tsinghua University alumnus, donor of the "Xinghua Fund of the Tsinghua University Education Foundation", and Meituan Founder and CEO Wang Xing; heads from relevant departments of Beijing municipality and Haidian district, as well as heads of relevant faculties and administrative units of the university, attended the ceremony.

Professor Seeram Ramakrishna is a world-renowned materials scientist and a recipient of the Chinese Government Friendship Award. In 2023, he was elected as a foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge and worked at the National University of Singapore (NUS) from 1996 to 2025, where he also served as the Vice President (Research Strategy) and Dean of the College of Design and Engineering, among other positions. Professor Ramakrishna has made pioneering contributions to understanding and enhancing the biological, chemical, electrical, mechanical, and physical responses of electrospun nanofibers, earning him the title of "Father of Electrospinning" worldwide. Professor Seeram will promote the construction of a medical-engineering integration platform at Tsinghua University and carry out research related to intelligent wearables.

Editors: Li Han, John Paul Grima