Human health, urban environment, and energy sustainability represent pressing global challenges. Our graduates are fully equipped to face these challenges and contribute positively to sustainable energy solutions.
With the global population expected to surpass 9 billion within the next 40 years, the Building Environment and Energy Application Engineering program is designed to meet the growing demand for enhanced living environments, ensuring low-carbon, green, healthy, and energy-efficient solutions.
1. Historical Development: Pioneer in China's Building Environment and Energy Research Field
- 1949: Originated from the Heating and Ventilation direction of Railway and Road Major, Civil Engineering and Architecture Department at Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT).
- 1952: Established the first undergraduate program in Heating, Gas Supply, and Ventilation Engineering in China, famously known as the Cradle of HVAC Talent in China.
- 2011: Ranked No. 1 (A++) in the China University Discipline Evaluation.
- 2017-2018: Ranked No. 1 in the Chinese University Major Education Evaluation Network.
- 2019: Selected as one of the first National First-Class Undergraduate Majors. Continuously ranked No. 1 (A++) for ten consecutive years in China's discipline evaluations.
After more than 70 years of development, the discipline has become China's only comprehensive HVAC program, covering air conditioning, refrigeration, district heating, and gas transmission and distribution. It has trained over 6,000 undergraduates, more than 2,200 graduate students and over 200 Ph.D. candidates, and around 20 postdoctoral researchers. Its alumni network spans over 50 countries worldwide, including industry leaders such as Academician LI Youjia of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. Through generous donations from alumni and industry partners, annual scholarships and financial aid totaling approximately 200,000 RMB have been provided, effectively supporting students' academic development.
2. Educational Approach: International Elite Training Model
The major emphasizes a strong teaching faculty and international teaching teams. Currently, 100% of full-time teachers hold doctoral degrees and have overseas study experiences of at least one year. With a guiding principle of Global Vision + Practical Innovation, the major establishes an interdisciplinary and internationally oriented educational system:
- Diverse Curriculum: Core courses cover Fluid Mechanics, Engineering Thermodynamics, Intelligent Energy Systems, and Low-Carbon Building Environment Technologies, with bilingual teaching and courses co-developed by international and corporate experts.
- International Collaboration: Extensive academic partnerships with over 10 international institutions, such as Purdue University (USA), Imperial College London, Tohoku University, and Technical University of Denmark.
- Research Platforms: Supported by two National Virtual Simulation Experimental Teaching Centers, one National Engineering Practice Education Center, one National Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center, and eight provincial and ministerial key research laboratories, providing solid technical support for international talent cultivation and scientific research.
- Innovation-Oriented Training: Each undergraduate is assigned a faculty mentor; students actively participate in competitions such as the China International College Students' Innovation Competition( CICSIC), winning over 30 national awards in the past three years. An interdisciplinary course on “Green Building and Artificial Intelligence” has been launched to cultivate well-rounded, cross-disciplinary talents.
3. Career Prospects: A Golden Pathway in Global Energy Careers
Graduates, recognized for their technical expertise + international experience, become highly sought-after talents worldwide:
- Employment Destinations: Graduates commonly join leading Chinese corporations like Huawei and Huarun, with starting annual salaries ranging from 150,000 to 250,000 RMB for undergraduates, and 250,000 to 350,000 RMB for postgraduates. Many graduates are assigned international positions, working on Belt and Road Initiatives (e.g., data centers in Malaysia, nuclear power projects in Southeast Asia, energy management projects in the Middle East, and gas transmission network construction in ASEAN countries).
- Further Education Opportunities: Approximately 25% of graduates receive direct admissions to prestigious Chinese universities such as Tsinghua University and HIT. Around 20% pursue further studies abroad at renowned institutions, including UC Berkeley, Princeton University, University of Tokyo, Imperial College London, Delft University of Technology, Technical University of Denmark, and National University of Singapore. The rate of graduates pursuing overseas postgraduate education has steadily increased.
4. Research Directions and Achievements: Chinese Solutions for Global Challenges
Over the past five years, the discipline has undertaken more than 200 national-level projects in China, secured research funding exceeding 80 million RMB, received over 20 provincial and ministerial awards, and filed over 100 patents. Research primarily focuses on three critical areas—Carbon Neutrality, Smart Human Settlements, and Specialized Environment Technologies:
- Smart Energy Systems: Led the formulation of China's first Smart Heating Standard. Developed energy-saving platforms applied in China and Russia, achieving 15%-30% energy savings and receiving EU energy efficiency certification. Collaborated with Huawei to establish 5G + Smart Heating Communities, which is selected by the United Nations as a best-practice case study, reducing carbon emissions by over 20%.
- Specialized Artificial Environments: Created high-standard and precision-controlled environments vital for safety and productivity, including venues for the Beijing Winter Olympics, Shenzhou spacecraft, ICU negative-pressure isolation wards, biosafety laboratories, and semiconductor cleanroom factories.
- Smart Human Settlements and Zero-Energy Buildings: Integrated digitalization, networking, and intelligent control technologies to design projects such as the Hangzhou Wetland Museum, achieving 100% renewable energy supply and receiving LEED Platinum certification.
5. Social Impact: Leading Global Sustainable Development
Buildings account for approximately 30% of global energy consumption. Driven by China's dual-carbon strategy and EU energy efficiency directives, the talent gap in related fields is estimated by UNEP to grow by 5-10 times, highlighting severe talent shortages in smart energy and zero-carbon buildings:
- National Strategic Contributions: Smart heating technologies have cumulatively saved over one million tons of coal, reducing carbon emissions by 2.6 million tons. Medical cleanroom systems have significantly reduced postoperative infection rates by 30%.
- International Leadership: Led the development of three international engineering standards, including the Technical Regulations for Smart Heating in Towns. Collaborated with UNEP to train over 500 technicians from developing countries.
- Cultural Exchange: Educated international students from more than 20 countries, who now hold key positions in global energy and construction sectors, playing significant roles in talent exchanges along the Belt and Road Initiative.
Join us at Harbin Institute of Technology—a top-five engineering university in China (QS Ranking top 5 among Chinese universities!). Collaborate with world-class scholars and leverage cutting-edge technologies to reshape cities of the future. This is your gateway to a successful international career!
