Dean of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering GU Chongshi

In order to realize the great ambition of saving the nation by education and science, Riverside Engineering School came into being in 1915 and developed into “Hohai University” in 1985, inscribed by DENG Xiaoping. The seventy years has witnessed the trials and hardships. In 1995, On the 80th anniversary of the founding of Hohai University, 1995, Premier JIANG Zemin wrote an inscription: facing the future and forging ahead for further development of the water conservancy education cause, pointing out the direction for the development of our college.

College of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering has a long history with abundant talents, which is also the foundation of the university in the beginning. Now, it is still the backbone college of Hohai University. The college integrates teaching and scientific research with two departments, five research institutes, one research center, three secondary disciplines authorized by the state key doctoral degree, two engineering research centers at ministerial level, one key laboratory at ministerial level, six doctoral programs, eight master programs and one post-doctoral mobile station. 

Teaching is the foundation of the college, scientific research is the way of further development, and talents are the source of rejuvenating the college. Hundreds of students come to our college every year from all over the world for further study. In accordance with the requirements of solid foundation, proficient specialty, paying attention to practice, wide scope, strong adaptability and high quality, it is our lofty duty to cultivate students into talents with high comprehensive quality, spirit of innovation, and willing to make contributions to the country in different positions. 

Our college implements the policy of going out, coming in and opening the gate to connect with the whole word, and has established long-term cooperative relations and exchanged visiting scholars with the University of Hong Kong, Nanyang Technological University, Centro De Estudios Y Experimentacon De Obras Publicas(CEDEX) and Cardiff University etc. Professor LI Xingwei, -vice president of the University of Hong Kong, Professor M.Pastor of CEDEX, academician QIAN Zhengying-former vice chairman of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, academician LU Youmei-former general manager of the three gorges corporation and other well-known scholars were invited to give lectures at the college. Extensive exchanges and cooperation with teaching and scientific research institutions at home and abroad have enlivened the academic atmosphere of the college and promoted new achievements in all aspects of the work of the college in the new year. 
  

In the past year, the faculty and staff of the whole college unremittingly strengthen party building and spiritual civilization construction, as well as focusing on the undergraduate teaching, discipline construction, postgraduate cultivation, the realization of scientific and technological objectives, and laboratory and base construction. We have made gratifying achievements in teaching, scientific research and discipline construction. 

All achievements are originated from the concern and care of the school leaders and relevant departments, and also cannot be separated from the support and help of the whole society and the alumni. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the people at home and abroad who are directly or indirectly cared for, helped or guided the work of our college. 

Nowadays, with the unprecedented pressure of human survival and development, China's modernization process will be faced with the severe situation of water shortage and energy shortage for a long time. This is a serious challenge to us, but also a rare development opportunity. The traditional concept, the existing subject system and the mature water conservancy and hydropower technology have been difficult to meet the needs of development. We cannot evade the new problems and challenges posed by the natural environment and the development situation. 

In order to fulfill the mission of realizing the harmonious coexistence between man and nature and the further sustainable development of society, we have to constantly learn from the valuable experience accumulated by our predecessors and absorb the latest achievements of science and technology. We have no choice but to give full play to the wisdom of the faculty and staff, facing the future and forging ahead. Looking ahead, I feel that there is a long way to go. We should unit and move ahead hand in hand under the correct leadership of the university and the joint efforts of all walks of life. We must put heads together, innovate constantly, conform to the trend of time and make our own contribution.