He remains committed to the original aspiration of educating talents for the Party and the country, integrating national pride and the latest scientific research into teaching, and dedicating himself to nurturing a new generation of talents in materials science. He focuses on scientific research, scaling new heights, and tackling key corrosion challenges in extreme marine environments. He insists on writing his papers on the land of the motherland, actively promoting the transformation of research outcomes to serve major national strategic needs. He is Cui Zhongyu, a professor at the College of Materials Science and Engineering, honored as the Most Beautiful Teacher of Ocean University of China in 2025.
1. Imparting Knowledge with Dedication and Leading by Example to Cultivate High-Quality Innovative Talents
Professor Cui's classes make knowledge effortlessly memorable! This is a common sentiment among students who have taken his courses, Material Corrosion and Protection and Material Mechanics. This reflects Cui Zhongyu's meticulous approach to teaching: careful preparation, patient explanation, timely updates to course content, and presenting the best of himself to students. At the same time, he integrates ideological and political education throughout the teaching process, developing Curriculum Ideology and Politics modules. Through case studies and short ideological sessions, he skillfully combines professional knowledge with ideological education, subtly guiding students to strengthen their sense of national identity and cultivate a spirit of responsibility.
When leading students in perceptual internships and professional internships, Cui Zhongyu encourages them to actively experiment and practice bravely. He deeply understands student needs, promotes the reform of practical education systems, and collaborates with industry leaders such as Shandong Iron and Steel Group and Haihua Institute to establish practice bases. By bringing industry technical experts into classrooms and research practices, he cultivates high-quality interdisciplinary talents who are well-versed in both theory and engineering practice. His course, Material Corrosion and Protection Technology, recognized for its integration of science and education as well as industry and education, was rated excellent in the 2024 teaching evaluation.
Cui Zhongyu Rated Excellent in the 2024 Spring Semester Teaching Evaluation
Group photo commemorating the conclusion of Cui Zhongyu's course, along with in-class experiments
Cui Zhongyu places great importance on discovering and nurturing innovative talents. Adhering to the philosophy of stimulating students' innovative spirit through research and honing their practical skills through projects, he provides diverse platforms for student growth through systematic research training and high-level academic guidance. He implements a dual-supervisor system, pairing each graduate student with an industry mentor, ensuring they are not only aware of academic frontiers but also familiar with national strategies and industrial needs. To date, he has independently or jointly supervised 10 doctoral students and over 40 master's students. Among them, one has received support from the China Association for Science and Technology's Youth Talent Promotion Program, two doctoral students have won National Scholarships, and 10 have been awarded the title of Outstanding Graduate Student. His students have achieved numerous honors at international and national competitions, such as the International Corrosion and Application Conference (ICCPA2022), the China Youth Materials Heat Treatment Innovation Competition, the Shandong New Materials Industry Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, and the university-level Challenge Cup extracurricular academic competition. In 2024, he organized several graduate students to participate in the 22nd International Corrosion Congress and deliver presentations in English. Many of his students have gone on to work in universities, research institutions, the military, or become key talents in companies like Hisense, Haier, CRRC, CNPC, and CSIC.
Cui Zhongyu leading students to participate in a scientific competition in Xi'an
Certificates of various competition awards won by students under Cui Zhongyu's guidance
In his daily interactions with students, Cui Zhongyu is more like a family elder. He often addresses students as comrades, viewing them not only as collaborators in research but also as friends who support each other in life. When a student's father fell ill and required significant medical expenses, he actively donated and mobilized others to contribute. Whether students face personal or professional challenges, even long after graduation, he always offers advice from his own experience, encouraging them to stay positive and face difficulties with a smile.
Group photo of Cui Zhongyu with returning students during the college's centennial celebration activities
Ten years ago, I was fortunate to become Professor Cui's first student. He is not only my academic mentor but also my professional guide, said Tian Huiyun, a postdoctoral researcher who shares both a mentor-student and colleague relationship with Cui Zhongyu. He often says, 'Put your heart into what you do. Doing your best is passing, but putting your heart into it is excellence.' Through his words and actions, he taught us how to tackle challenges in research, which has benefited me greatly.
2. Diving into Research and Scaling New Heights to Tackle Key Corrosion Challenges in Extreme Marine Environments
Marine material corrosion is a core technical bottleneck restricting the development of national deep-sea and polar equipment. Cui Zhongyu always remains dedicated to serving the country through scientific research. As a young key member in material corrosion and protection research, with support from projects like the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Ministry of Science and Technology's Basic Work Special Project, he leads his team to address the urgent need for improving the service reliability of marine engineering equipment. He has achieved innovative research results in theories of material damage and failure in extreme marine environments, evaluation methods, and enhancing service durability and reliability. He pioneered the study of material damage and failure in polar environments in China, clarifying the kinetic mechanisms of corrosion and fracture failure induced by polar conditions. He also established a service reliability evaluation technology system based on coupled material damage in extreme marine environments, developed new technologies and devices for multi-factor coupling, and created new models for predicting the remaining service life of corroded structures. These achievements have enabled high-precision evaluation of the environmental adaptability of marine materials and the service reliability of structures, gaining widespread recognition from peers domestically and internationally.
Cui Zhongyu conducting research on corrosion in global extreme marine environments
Based on his scientific research achievements in extreme marine environment material corrosion and protection, Cui Zhongyu has received talent project support such as the National Young Talents Program, Shandong Provincial Outstanding Youth Fund, and the Shandong Taishan Scholars Young Expert Program. He has presided over projects including the National Key R&D Program Young Scientist Project, National Defense Plan projects, and the National Natural Science Foundation of China. He has also been awarded the Shandong Provincial Technology Invention First Prize and the Chinese Society for Corrosion and Protection Outstanding Youth Award.
Details of scientific research awards received by Cui Zhongyu
3. Transforming Outcomes and Serving Society to Support the Implementation of Major National Strategies
Research topics must always stem from on-site needs. This reflects Cui Zhongyu's strong sense of social responsibility. Over the past 10 years, he has persisted in serving national strategic needs and regional social development with his research outcomes, establishing strong collaborations with organizations such as Shandong Iron and Steel Group, Anshan Iron and Steel Group, CGN, China First Highway Engineering Institute, China Helicopter Design and Research Institute, China Airborne Missile Academy, Luoyang Ship Material Research Institute, and China Special Vehicle Research Institute. His research outcomes have contributed to the development of raw materials for major national engineering equipment, safety protection design, and maintenance.
Cui Zhongyu leading students to work on the frontline, serving major national strategic needs
In the field of designing steel materials for extreme environments and evaluating their environmental applicability, Cui Zhongyu has supported major national strategies. For the Sino-Russian Heads-of-State Project - Arctic LNG2 Project, he collaborated with Shandong Iron and Steel Group to develop 420–500 MPa grade polar low-temperature marine steel through field testing in polar environments and lab acceleration tests. This effectively supported China's autonomous capability building in equipment materials for extremely cold environments. Additionally, addressing the needs of the high-altitude permafrost environment on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, he conducted field research in Wudaoliang, Qinghai, and Nagqu, Tibet, under the National Key R&D Program Young Scientist Project. He developed structural steel applicable to plateau permafrost environments, serving the national strategy of stabilizing border areas and consolidating frontier development.
Looking ahead, Cui Zhongyu will continue to depict the image of the Most Beautiful Teacher through rigorous scholarship and passionate education, interpreting the responsibilities and mission of university teachers with practical actions. He will strive tirelessly to contribute to the rapid development of an education powerhouse, a sci-tech powerhouse, a talent powerhouse, and the realization of the dream of building China into a strong maritime nation!
Written by: Wu Yuansheng
Photos by: Cui Zhongyu
