The IWA Young Water Professionals China Chapter (IWA YWP China) orchestrated a highly successful annual meeting in Beijing on 22-24 September 2023, marking its 11th anniversary. The event attracted participation from over 150 members in the country, with co-hosts including Peking University and Tsinghua University.

During the event, IWA Executive Director Kala Vairavamoorthy conveyed warm congratulations for this significant milestone through a video address. IWA President, Tom Mollenkopf, and Chair of IWA YWP Steering Committee, Jacob Kwasi Amengor, also extended their congratulations to IWA YWP China on its 11th anniversary. Prof. Jinren Ni, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Prof. Can Wang from Tsinghua University, representing the organisers, delivered welcome speeches. The opening address was moderated by Prof. Sitong Liu, former chair of IWA YWP China. Prof. Xiaoyuan Zhang, Chair of IWA YWP China, highlighted the eleven-year journey of IWA YWP China.

Themed ‘Opportunities and Challenges of Water Technology Under the Background of New Engineering‘, this meeting placed emphasis on interdisciplinary facets within the water sector, the advancement of emerging women professionals, industry-academia collaboration, and strategies for enhancing international cooperation through IWA’s platform. Keynote addresses were delivered by Prof. Jiuhui Qu, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and Ms. Jing Yang, Director of Department of Engineering and Materials, National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Additionally, eight other experts, including Prof. Aijie Wang, IWA Distinguished Fellow, Dr. Tao Li, IWA Strategy & Development Director, and Prof. Xiaochang Wang, IWA Board Member and Distinguished Fellow, presented in thematic sessions. Prof. Bingcai Pan and Prof. Zhiwei Wang, former Chairs of IWA YWP China, engaged in panel discussions with 25 other members.

In a special side event, the Young Water Professional’s Tech Show was inaugurated, showcasing innovative water treatment technologies and applications developed by YWP members. This initiative sought to establish communication and collaboration platforms for young water professionals in academia and industry, fostering the integration of the industry, academia, and research sectors.

During the annual meeting, the recipients of the Rising-Star Award 2023 were unveiled, acknowledging the exceptional contributions of 9 young water professionals to the water sector. The recipients are:

Scientific Innovation Award

Gold: Gang LIU, Research Center for Eco-Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Silver: Jin LI, Qingdao University
Bronze: Kuichang ZUO, Peking University

Application Innovation Award

Gold: Xiaoyu HAN, Beijing Drainage Group Co., LTD
Silver: Yuan ZHUANG, Research Center for Eco-Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Bronze: Huifeng LU, Zhejiang Water Healer Environmental Technology Co., Ltd

New Talent Award

Gold: Jinming LUO, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Silver: Gongliang ZHANG, Beijing Capital Eco-Pro Group
Bronze: Yang ZHAO, Southeast University

This award, jointly established by IWA YWP China Chapter and Beijing Capital Eco-Pro Group in 2017, has thus far honoured 45 young water professionals.

Upholding the principles of innovation, openness, sharing, and collaboration, the Managing Committee of IWA YWP China remains dedicated to creating a prominent platform for young water professionals to advance knowledge exchange, cooperation, and capacity development for young water professionals in the water sector. Join them on iwaconnectplus.org 

For further information about what the IWA YWP community does, please email Dr Isabela Espindola, IWA Membership Engagement Senior Officer, at ywp@iwahq.org. For membership queries contact: members@iwahq.org.