On the afternoon of 7 April 2025, Professor Sir Jim McDonald GBE, Principal of the University of Strathclyde, visited Tsinghua University and delivered a lecture entitled “The Future of Advanced Manufacturing: Opportunities and Challenges” as part of the 479th session of the “Academic Life” series. The event took place in Room 3-217, West Main Building, Tsinghua University.

Guest Introduction

Sir Jim McDonald is the Principal of the University of Strathclyde, was appointed an Honorary Professor at Tsinghua University in 2023, is a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire, and formerly served as President of the Royal Academy of Engineering. Since assuming the principalship in March 2009, he has steered university strategy, planning, research, discipline development, external relations and overall direction, while advising government, industry and commerce. He also holds positions on the Glen Scientific Advisory Council, UK Trade & Investment, the Optimised Energy Board, and as Co-Chair of Scotland’s National Energy Board.

Professor Sir Jim McDonald GBE

Other guests included Andrew Goudie, Special Adviser to the Principal of Strathclyde; Stephen McArthur, Vice-Principal and Dean of Engineering; Andrew Marshall, Vice-Dean (Global Engagement) of the Strathclyde Business School; Lin Fan, Adviser to the Principal on China Affairs; Kang Chongqing, Dean of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronics (EEA) at Tsinghua; Sun Kai, Deputy Dean of EEA; Liu Nannan, Deputy Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, Tsinghua University; and Zhong Haiwang, Director of Graduate Affairs of EEA.

Event Review

1. Opening

On behalf of the organisers, Deputy Dean Sun Kai warmly welcomed Sir Jim McDonald and his party, noting that the visit not only inspired faculty and students but also reflected the long‑standing, robust partnership between Tsinghua and Strathclyde. He praised Sir Jim’s outstanding contributions to global engineering education, research and technological innovation, citing the close collaboration between the two institutions since 2015. He expressed deep appreciation for Sir Jim’s leadership and vision in advancing the partnership and looked forward to broader, deeper cooperation.

After the welcome remarks, Department Dean Kang Chongqing presented Sir Jim McDonald with a Tsinghua memento on behalf of the hosts.

Kang Chongqing presenting the gift

2. Sir Jim McDonald’s Special Lecture

In his lecture, Sir Jim systematically addressed key issues in the future of advanced manufacturing, outlining current industrial technology trends, enabling technologies, exemplar platforms and the importance of engineering education.

He noted that global manufacturing is undergoing a profound transformation—from “Industry 4.0” toward “Industry 5.0” and even “Industry 6.0”—which not only stresses automation and intelligence but also the synergy between people and technology, sustainability and social value. He highlighted several core technologies driving advanced manufacturing: artificial intelligence and data science, digital twins and modeling & simulation, robotics and process automation, hybrid manufacturing processes and advanced materials science.

Sir Jim also introduced two research platforms: the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) and the Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC). Both industry‑oriented platforms have translated technologies in energy systems, aerospace and remanufacturing, exemplifying deep integration of research and industry.

Finally, he set out his expectations for future engineering talent: beyond technical mastery, engineers must possess systems thinking, interdisciplinary competence and a global outlook. Education, he argued, must maintain a dynamic dialogue with industry to train talent that adapts to ever-changing industrial needs; cultivating engineers with system thinking and interdisciplinary skills is vital to a sustainable transformation of manufacturing.

Sir Jim McDonald delivering the lecture

3. On-site Interaction

After the lecture, Sir Jim engaged enthusiastically with students on topics such as the robustness of AI decision‑making for power control and balancing AI development with energy conservation and emissions reduction.

Students interacting with Sir Jim McDonald

4. Group Photo

The exchange deepened students’ understanding of the opportunities and challenges in advanced manufacturing. They resolved to apply the cutting‑edge insights gained, strengthen their professional studies, expand research and seize the moment to become future engineering leaders.

The event concluded with a group photo of Sir Jim McDonald and the attending faculty and students, capturing a meaningful moment of intellectual exchange and underscoring a core theme for manufacturing’s future—knowledge inheritance and collaborative innovation. From a blueprint of high-end, intelligent and green development, we set out together toward a new starting point for human wisdom and industrial civilisation.

Group photo