Richard Andrew Williams: Tianjin University’s journey of excellence

Richard Andrew Williams, Principal and Vice Chancellor of Heriot Watt University, highlighted his long-standing personal and academic ties with Tianjin University. He first visited China in 1989 and returned in the early 1990s with support from the British Council, spending several summers working alongside faculty at Tianjin University. He described the experience as a “very special period” in the early stage of his career.

Reflecting on the changes over the past decades, Williams praised the extraordinary progress achieved by China and Tianjin. “So much has changed, and China has worked so hard to achieve it,” he said, noting how rewarding it was to return and witness these achievements firsthand. He also highlighted the joy of mentoring Chinese research students in his own group and watching their careers flourish.

Williams added that his return to Tianjin was deeply meaningful. As a young academic, he used to ride a bicycle around the city, where locals would curiously follow him. “Now Tianjin has developed into an even more multicultural city, it is an amazing city,” he said.

He further emphasized Tianjin University’s focus on engineering, particularly chemical engineering, the establishment of world-class laboratories, and its openness to international collaboration, which have significantly enhanced its reputation.