The English Major boasts a long history of education and has enjoyed remarkable accomplishments. In 1978, HEU enrolled students in the program of English Teacher-training class (undergraduate education), which was the first patch in China. In 1986, as one of the pioneers setting English Major in colleges of science and engineering in Heilongjiang province, the undergraduate EST program was launched into practice. In 1994, EST major was renamed as English Major. The English Major was approved as the Key Construction Major of Heilongjiang Province in 2011. In 2021, it entered the list of First-Class Majors of Heilongjiang Province, while in the same year, it was selected in New Liberal Arts Construction Plan Project of Heilongjiang Province. In 2022, it was approved as the National First-Class Major Construction Site of and the “Three Enterings” Demonstration

Course Teaching Team Construction Site of Heilongjiang Province.

Adhering to the concept of building a first-class major and relying on the HEU’s advantage as a characteristic university in the science and engineering industry, the faculty members commit to strengthening foundation, adhering to traditional integrity, stimulating innovative vitality, and unwaveringly promoting the construction of the English Major. Hence, a curriculum system integrating with advantageous disciplines of HEU is constructed. The practical innovation ability cultivation system is built by integrating classroom teaching, practical sections, second classrooms, and practical guidance. To enhance curriculum teaching, multiple measures have been taken – technical assistance, research and assessment feedback, and textbook improvement. The teacher training mechanism exerts effective influence by combining introducing and training teaching talents, promoting team building through teaching research and competition, and demonstrating and led by experienced professors. In June 2022, the Ministry of Education released the list of National First-Class Majors Construction Sites for 2021, in which the English Major of Harbin Engineering University was listed.

In the future, based on the needs of building a national first-class major in a university of science and engineering, the English Major will continue to rely on HEU’s advantages of shipbuilding, maritime, and nuclear disciplines, adhere to the student-centered approach, and seek the development path of “integrating mainstream, increasing characteristics, laying a solid foundation, and strengthening qualities”. The mission is to cultivate high-quality foreign language talents who can integrate the essence of Chinese and Western cultures with humanistic spirit, scientific literacy, high morality, and professional skills. The versatile talents having graduated from English Major have met and will continue to meet the national strategic needs of building a science, technology, and maritime power, respond to the demands of economic development of Heilongjiang Province, and fit the educational positioning of HEU.