Development of Safety Science and Engineering Disciplines in Mainland China

Abstract

Considering the growing emphasis on safety issues in mainland China, it is essential to identify the hurdles in the development of safety disciplines and to promote alignment between safety disciplines and society. To understand the current state of safety science and engineering disciplines in mainland China, we conducted a study while considering the geographical distribution level, as well as the power gap between universities. In terms of the geographical distribution, the spatial distribution characteristics of institutions with safety engineering enrollment in China were mapped out. To illustrate the development characteristics and existing safety discipline problems, the current situation of economic development and safety production in each region was integrated. In terms of power gaps, the Cingta database was used to study the disparity between different indicators and the competitiveness of safety disciplines in representative universities. Based on these findings, the development of chemical safety education is further discussed. Finally, development directions were provided for the effective reform of safety disciplines in each university at this stage. The study demonstrated that the current development status of safety disciplines in universities was related to social needs and social background. The development of safety disciplines in certain provinces of China did not match the current state of the local economy and safety products. There was a significant gap between the strengths and weaknesses of disciplines between universities and colleges.

Reconstruction of Curriculum System for Chemical Safety Undergraduate Education under Emerging Engineering Education Requirements

“…Most of the practitioners in China’s chemical industry only have low-level education and are not aware of possible accident scenarios. In terms of the size of the safety practitioners’ pool, safety professionals in various industries are still in short supply . Innovative engineering science and technology talents are relatively scarce, with an incredible demand for cultivating chemical safety talents.…”

“…Developing talents related to chemical process safety in China began in the 1990s; in the 21st century, it has developed by leaps and bounds . However, most of the Chinese institutions are facing the following challenges in their chemical safety engineering programs. − ,− The current curriculum has no close link and insufficient integration with chemical-related courses. It stays at the level of “broad” and has not realized the transformation of “precise” and “specialized.” The curriculum covers a wide range of fields.…”