According to the "List of Disciplines for Excellent Engineer Training" published in 2011 by the General Office of the Ministry of Education, the environmental engineering department of SOE was included in the excellence training plan for both undergraduate and graduate disciplines. This plan aims to train engineers and technicians with a high quality of education and to promote education of engineering in China. SOE applied to the plan under the circumstance of lacking front-line environment engineers in China. In line with this plan, SOE will combine theoretical studies with practice, and strengthen engineering technical abilities for undergraduates. It is believed that the plan will help improve the progress of environmental protection as national and global environmental problems are getting more and more complicated and severe.
