History

On October 25, 1952, Beihang University (then known as Beijing Institute of Aeronautics) was officially established. As the first institution of higher education in aeronautics and astronautics in the newly founded People's Republic of China, Beihang's founding marked the beginning of a new chapter in China's aerospace education. A large group of pioneers, driven by the ideals of "Saving the Nation through Aviation" and "Serving the Nation through Aviation," gathered at Baiyanzhuang in western Beijing, laying the foundation for cultivating a new generation of aerospace engineers with patriotism deep in mind for China.

  • TU Shou'e

    TU Shou'e (December 1917–December 2012), expert in missiles and rockets, received his Master's degree from MIT.


  • LU Shijia

    LU Shijia (March 1911–August 1986), fluid mechanician, obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Göttingen, Germany.


  • NING Huang

    NING Huang (August 1912–December 2002), expert in aviation engines and engineering thermophysics, received his Master's degree from the University of Oxford, UK.


  • SHEN Yuan

    SHEN Yuan (April 1916–May 2004), aerodynamicist, aviation engineer, and aviation educator, received his Ph.D. from Imperial College London, University of London.


  • WANG Junkui

    WANG Junkui (April 1908–May 1998), solid mechanician and aviation engineering educator, received his Ph.D. in Aeronautical Engineering from Stanford University.


  • WU Liyi

    WU Liyi (August 1917–November 2010), graduated from the Department of Aeronautical Engineering at National Central University and obtained a Ph.D. in Aerodynamics from Queen Mary University of London, UK.


  • LI Shoutong

    LI Shoutong (November 1901–January 1983), expert in the field of material mechanics, studied in France.


  • TIAN Peiye

    TIAN Peiye (June 1896–April 1973), graduated from the Department of Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Michigan, USA.


  • WANG Hongxing

    WANG Hongxing (November 1915–August 2018), mechanical expert and aviation educator, graduated from the Department of Aeronautics at Northwestern Polytechnical Institute and later pursued further studies and internships in the United States.


  • XU Xinfu

    XU Xinfu (May 1915–February 2008), who had long been engaged in teaching and research in aircraft design, graduated from the Department of Aeronautical Engineering at National Central University and studied at the University of Michigan, USA.


  • WU Ronglin

    WU Ronglin (November 1908–January 2002), aerodynamicist, held a Master's degree in Aeronautical Engineering from MIT.


  • MA Enchun

    MA Enchun (February 1917–July 2000), graduated from the Department of Aeronautics at Northwestern Polytechnical University and later studied at the Graduate School of the University of Michigan.


  • LIANG Bingwen

    LIANG Bingwen (July 1913–November 2010), important pioneer in the field of sheet metal stamping forming technology in China, graduated from the Advanced Class of the former Air Force Mechanical School.


  • CUI Jiya

    CUI Jiya (May 1921–August 2012), who had long been engaged in teaching and research in the principles of aviation engines, held a Ph.D. in Engineering from Imperial College London, University of London, UK.


  • LUO Dewei

    LUO Dewei (December 1917–July 2005), graduated from the Department of Aeronautical Engineering at National Central University and later went to UK for further studies.


  • WANG Shaozeng

    WANG Shaozeng (December 1912–March 1997), aviation educator, held a Master of Science degree from the Université de Lyon, and an Aeronautical Engineer degree in France.


  • LIN Shi'e

    LIN Shi'e (July 1913–September 1987), automatic control scientist, received his Ph.D. from MIT.


  • XU Naizuo

    XU Naizuo (born 1921), studied in Germany and earned a Ph.D. in Engineering.


  • WU Yunshu

    WU Yunshu (June 1918–July 2014), expert in materials science and engineering, graduated from the Department of Aeronautics at Northwestern Polytechnical Institute and later pursued further studies in the United States.


  • RAO Guozhang

    RAO Guozhang (April 1899–November 1968), expert in hot working processes, studied in France.


  • HUANG Fengchang

    HUANG Fengchang, studied at the California Institute of Technology in the United States in his early years.


  • RAO Zifan

    RAO Zifan, graduated with a postgraduate degree from the Department of Aeronautical Engineering at National Central University and later pursued studies in engineering technology at the University of California, USA.


  • PEI Liejun

    PEI Liejun, a former student of the Whampoa Military Academy, went to Germany and Switzerland for further studies.


  • WANG Derong

    WANG Derong, held a Master's degree from Imperial College London, University of London, UK.


  • CHENG Benfan

    CHENG Benfan, held a Master's degree from the Department of Aeronautics at the University of Michigan, USA.


  • CAO Jintao

    CAO Jintao, graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Peiyang Polytechnic Institute and later studied at the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporationin the USA, the University of Michigan, and the Gloster Aircraft Company in the UK.


  • XU Biyu

    XU Biyu, graduated from National Central University and later interned at the Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation and pursued further studies in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Graduate School of the University of Michigan, USA.


Founding of Beijing Institute of Aeronautics:
The Convergence of New China's Top Aviation Talent

Pioneers of the University

  • TU Shou'e

    TU Shou'e (December 1917–December 2012), expert in missiles and rockets, received his Master's degree from MIT.


  • LU Shijia

    LU Shijia (March 1911–August 1986), fluid mechanician, obtained her Ph.D. from the University of Göttingen, Germany.


  • NING Huang

    NING Huang (August 1912–December 2002), expert in aviation engines and engineering thermophysics, received his Master's degree from the University of Oxford, UK.


  • SHEN Yuan

    SHEN Yuan (April 1916–May 2004), aerodynamicist, aviation engineer, and aviation educator, received his Ph.D. from Imperial College London, University of London.


  • WANG Junkui

    WANG Junkui (April 1908–May 1998), solid mechanician and aviation engineering educator, received his Ph.D. in Aeronautical Engineering from Stanford University.


  • WU Liyi

    WU Liyi (August 1917–November 2010), graduated from the Department of Aeronautical Engineering at National Central University and obtained a Ph.D. in Aerodynamics from Queen Mary University of London, UK.


  • LI Shoutong

    LI Shoutong (November 1901–January 1983), expert in the field of material mechanics, studied in France.


  • TIAN Peiye

    TIAN Peiye (June 1896–April 1973), graduated from the Department of Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Michigan, USA.


The 27 Professors in the Early Days of Beihang

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