The inauguration of the Department of Building Science and Technology and a themed forum took place on May 23 at Tongji Architectural Design (Group) Co., Ltd. The event marked the formal incorporation of the HVAC discipline into Tongji's College of Architecture and Urban Planning (CAUP), a key move for the university's disciplinary restructuring and interdisciplinary development in the built environment sector. Nearly 300 guests from home and abroad attended, including 13 Chinese academicians, 2 overseas academicians, and over 60 national-level talents.

Secretary of the CPC Tongji University Committee and Academician of the Chinese Academy of EngineeringZheng Qinghua delivered a speech. Many renowned academicians, overseas experts, industry leaders and international guests were present, alongside university administrators, peer educators, alumni, faculty and students.

Zheng Qinghua pointed out that Tongji boasts solid academic strength in building science, building environment, HVAC and building physics. Amid the national Dual Carbon goals, AI advancement and urban renewal drive, the new department will integrate disciplinary resources, deepen industry-education collaboration, boost cross-disciplinary innovation, and forge a modern talent training system for the built environment.

Guest speakers acknowledged Tongji's longstanding strengths in this field, stressing the value of interdisciplinary research and technological innovation for green low-carbon development, healthy buildings, urban sustainability and digital upgrading. China Academy of Building Research pledged closer cooperation with Tongji on research, projects and talent cultivation.

An unveiling ceremony for the new department was held. Prof. Hartwig M. Künzel was appointed Founding Honorary Director, and Prof. Wang Qingqin took the post of Founding Director for Industry–Education Integration. Two scholarship funds were donated, and a themed exhibition on Tongji's building technology development opened on site.

Following the ceremony, two flagship forums saw experts share insights on the discipline's future, low-carbon energy systems, healthy buildings, AI and future cities. In the afternoon, five parallel sessions focused on academic innovation and interdisciplinary integration. Participants discussed green technologies, intelligent construction, talent training and other topics, reaching a consensus to align development with national strategies and build a world-class built environment discipline.