Peking University, Nov. 17, 2017: From November 8 to 10, 2017, the “International Peer Review on Computer Science” was held in PKU. The subjects under review included the School of Electronics Engineering and Computer Science, the Institute of Computer Science & Technology of Peking University, and the Center for Energy-Efficient Computing and Applications. 

The committee of the “International Peer Review” consisted of 10 experts. Tso-Ping Ma, professor of Yale University and academician of National Academy of Engineering, was the chairman of the Committee. Vice chairmen included H.-S. Philip Wong, of the School of Electronics Engineering and Computer Science and professor at Stanford University; Changwen Chen, of the Institute of Computer Science & Technology of Peking University, and professor at the State University of New York College at Buffalo; ; the Center for Energy-Efficient Computing and Applications), professor at Princeton University, and Academician of the US National Academy of Engineering. Other members serving on the committee included Yu-Chong Tai, professor at the California Institute of Technology, Sherman Shen, professor at the University of Waterloo and Academician of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, Wenfei Fan, professor at the University of Edinburgh and Academician of the Academia Europaea, Carlo Ghezzi, professor at the Polytechnic University of Milan and Academician of Academia Europaea, Xiaodong Zhang, professor at the Ohio State University, and Zhu Tong, dean of the PKU College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering.

Several PKU professors participated in the review process including Huang Ru, dean of the School of Electronics Engineering and Computer Science, Guo Zongming, director of the Institute of Computer Science & Technology of Peking University, and Cong Jingsheng, director of the Center for Energy-Efficient Computing and Applications. PKU President Lin Jianhua, Vice President Gao Song, Wang Bo, and Gong Qihuang, and other leaders also attended the main activities。

On the afternoon of November 8, experts were divided into two groups: Computer Science and Electronic Engineering. They spoke with undergraduates and postgraduates of the School of Electronics Engineering and Computer Science on their opinions of the schools and the university. Later, experts inspected the laboratory of the School of Electronics Engineering and Computer Science, and learned of the newest progress in relevant fields. On the morning of November 9, Professor Song Lingyang introduced the overall situation of School of Electronics Engineering and Computer Science to the experts, and analyzed the advantages, disadvantages, and challenges. In the afternoon, the experts communicated with the representatives of different institutes and learned of their latest academic achievements.

Experts of Computer Science inspecting a laboratory

On the afternoon of November 9, 2017, the expert group inspected the Institute of Computer Science and Technology, and conducted in-depth exchanges with student and teacher representatives. On November 10, members of the group continued evaluating the Institute of Computer Science and Technology and the Center for Energy-efficient Computing and Applications. Guo Zongming and Cong Jingsheng introduced the two units respectively, and answered questions from the expert group.

The expert group inspecting the Institute of Computer Science and Technology

 The expert group holding discussions with teachers

On the afternoon of November 10, the expert group provided preliminary feedback to the school leaders and relevant departments, and fully affirmed the achievements made by the three institutions. They also pointed out some problems in the units, and put forward suggestions.

Group photo

Lin Jianhua, on behalf of Peking University, expressed his gratitude for the work of the Committee of Experts. He said that the university will carefully study their suggestions and use the international peer review for important references. Lin Jianhua also briefed the group on the ongoing comprehensive reform of Peking University, hoping that the reform will continue to create a favorable environment for the development of relevant disciplines and effectively promote the "Double World-class" Development.

After completing the on-site assessment, the Committee will formally submit an International Peer Review Report to Peking University in one month.

Extended reading: Peking University International Peer Review

In order to evaluate PKU’s international status in science and engineering disciplines, analyze the advantages and disadvantages compared with world first-class universities, and promote the international competitiveness of disciplines, Peking University established the International Peer Review in 2013 seeking to invite internationally renowned experts and scholars to inspect the development of relevant disciplines.

From 2013 to 2015, led by the Graduate School of PKU, several schools had been evaluated, including the School of Urban and Environmental Sciences and the School of Life Sciences. Since 2017, the International Peer Review was led by the PKU Discipline Construction Office.

After the commencement of the international peer review, participating units would submit self-assessment reports to the expert group as required. During the on-site reviewing session, participating experts examine the overall development of the units by listening to reports, holding discussions with teachers, students and alumni, inspecting labs, and auditing courses. After the on-site review, the expert group will submit a comprehensive review report to the school. Within one year after receiving the report, the school leaders will lead the heads of major functional departments to examine feedback on the report and take key measures for implementing changes so as to promote the development of the unit.

In the future, the Discipline Construction Office plans to extend the pilot work to relevant units of the humanities, social sciences, and medical disciplines based on the experience of the International Peer Review and with consideration to discipline differences.

Written by: Wang Nini, Qian Kang
Edited by: Fu Wenyun, Karen Xu
Source: PKU News (Chinese)