Renowned educator and scientist in the field of dynamic power systems in China, Professor Ni Yixin, an alumna admitted to the Department of Electrical Engineering in 1963, passed away in Shanghai on July 15, 2023, at the age of 76, after unsuccessful medical treatment due to illness. To commemorate Professor Ni Yixin, inherit and carry forward her scientific spirit, the Department of Electrical Engineering and Applied Electronics (EEA) at Tsinghua University and the EEA Alumni Association of Tsinghua University organized a memorial event for Professor Ni Yixin in Shanghai on July 23, 2023. The attendees deeply remembered Professor Ni Yixin, admired her indelible contributions to the advancement of power science and technology in China and the energy and power industry, and recalled her noble character. The memorial event was presided over by Zheng Zedong, Deputy Party Secretary of EEA at Tsinghua University and Secretary-General of the EEA Alumni Association of Tsinghua University.

Professor Ni Yixin was the first female Ph.D. recipient cultivated by Tsinghua University and the first female Ph.D. in engineering in China. She held various positions, including Vice Chairman of the National Youth Federation, Deputy Dean of the Department of Electrical Engineering at Tsinghua University, and Deputy Director of the Tsinghua University-University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Power System Research Institute. Professor Ni Yixin was a renowned educator who dedicated her life to teaching and educating, nurturing a large number of master’s and doctoral professionals. She was an esteemed expert in the field of dynamic power systems, having received honors such as the “Outstanding Chinese Doctoral and Master’s Degree Recipient” and the “National March Eighth Red Flag Bearer.” Professor Ni Yixin invested a considerable amount of effort and energy into the development of electrical engineering education and power system science and technology in China.

At the beginning of the memorial event, all participants observed a one-minute silence.

Following the moment of silence, the attendees collectively watched a commemorative video produced by Professor Ni Yixin’s university classmates. The video comprehensively reviewed Professor Ni Yixin’s life experiences and vividly depicted her character.

Professor Yan Zheng from Shanghai Jiao Tong University presented a reminiscence of Professor Ni Yixin’s academic achievements and discussed her life over the past decade in Shanghai using a series of photos and video clips. He expressed profound fondness and nostalgia for Professor Ni Yixin, describing her as a scholar of great humility in life and eminence in academics.

Deputy Secretary-General Liu Jiayu of the Special Committee for Urban Power Supply and Reliability of the Chinese Society for Electrical Engineering, on behalf of Chairman Shu Yinbiao and Secretary-General Wang Gang, read out a message of condolences from the society. The message expressed that Professor Ni Yixin was a distinguished expert in the field of dynamic power systems in China, and her passing is a significant loss to the education and scientific communities of our country. The society extended its deep condolences to Professor Ni Yixin.

Professor Chung Zhong Jin of the University of Hong Kong read out messages of condolences from Professor Wu Fuli and Academician Chen Qingquan, colleagues of Professor Ni Yixin at the University of Hong Kong. In the messages, Professor Wu Fuli emphasized that Professor Ni Yixin had nurtured a group of broad-minded and visionary young researchers, making significant contributions to Hong Kong, China, and the profession. Academician Chen Qingquan noted that Professor Ni Yixin had cultivated a group of talented individuals with both virtue and ability through her extensive knowledge and unique personal charm, and her passing is a loss to the electrical engineering industry and the nation.

Professor Ma Youjie from Tianjin University read out a memorial article from Professor Chen Shousun, Professor Ni Yixin’s colleague at Tsinghua University. In the article, Professor Chen Shousun recalled the experiences of studying, working, and struggling against illness with Professor Ni Yixin, expressing his regret and remembrance for her.

Professor Gan Deqiang from the College of Electrical Engineering, Zhejiang University delivered a message from Academician Wang Xifan of Xi’an Jiaotong University through an online conference. In the message, Academician Wang Xifan highlighted that Professor Ni Yixin was a diligent and disciplined scientist, and her noble spirit and excellent character will forever inspire future generations to forge ahead.

Professor Vijay Vittal, a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a professor at Arizona State University, sent a commemorative video, expressing his fond remembrance and condolences for Professor Ni Yixin.

Representing universities, Professor Bi Tianshu, Vice President of North China Electric Power University, expressed condolences for the passing of Professor Ni Yixin and extended sympathy to her family. She recalled the time spent under Professor Ni Yixin’s guidance and remembered how Professor Ni Yixin had promoted China’s energy and power industry through her work at the University of Hong Kong, appreciating her innovative and diligent spirit.

Representing Professor Ni Yixin’s classmates, Ye Shoutang, an alumnus from the Department of Electrical Engineering at Tsinghua University, reminisced about the unforgettable experiences of studying alongside Professor Ni Yixin. He pointed out that Professor Ni Yixin’s charisma and noble character are forever worthy of respect and learning.

Song Yiqun from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, read a speech by Wei Ping, a student of Professor Ni Yixi, Director of the Qualification Management Department of the East China Regulatory Bureau of the National Energy Administration of China, Wei Ping recalled Professor Ni Yixin’s guidance and care in her academic studies and life, expressing sorrow and grief at her passing.

Representing colleagues of Professor Ni Yixin, Professor Zhang Boming from Tsinghua University joined the conference online and shared memories of Professor Ni Yixin’s experiences at Tsinghua University as a student and staff member. He reviewed Professor Ni Yixin’s contributions to the field of power system simulation analysis in China’s scientific endeavors, expressing deep nostalgia and sorrow for her.

Representatives of Professor Ni Yixin’s students in North America, Senior Director Wang Yanchun from CPower Energy, delivered a speech online, reminiscing about Professor Ni Yixin’s care, encouragement, and guidance for students. They shared their reflections and memories of Professor Ni Yixin in various forms.

Representatives of Professor Ni Yixin’s students in the University of Hong Kong, founder of Hong Kong Zanwe Corporation, Liu Hongjin, delivered a speech online, recalling stories from Professor Ni Yixin’s tenure at the University of Hong Kong, recounting her meticulous guidance and care for students. They expressed gratitude for her help in their studies, work, and life, and conveyed their sorrow at her passing.

During the free speech session, Professor Xia Qing from EEA at Tsinghua University emphasized the need to carry forward Professor Ni Yixin’s spirit of pure and selfless dedication in academic research and personal conduct. Academician Li Wenjuan, a classmate of Professor Ni Yixin, recounted her early days when she was assigned to a power plant construction site upon graduation, praising her unwavering determination and diligent pursuit of knowledge. Hu Jiangyi, General Manager of State Grid Chongqing Power Company, recalled Professor Ni Yixin’s guidance and assistance, stating that her spirit of seeking truth in practice continues to inspire and guide him. Fang Ming from Suzhou Fern Power Technology Co., Ltd. shared his experiences studying in Professor Ni Yixin’s research group. Professor Jing Chaoxia from South China University of Technology represented the Electrical Power College of South China University of Technology to express deep condolences for Professor Ni Yixin and narrated her own experiences being guided by Professor Ni Yixin at the Tsinghua University-University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Power System Research Institute. Xu Zheng from Shenzhen Graduate School of Tsinghua University recounted Professor Ni Yixin’s support and help in his research work. Wang Wei from Shanghai Electric Power Trading Center Co., Ltd. recollected Professor Ni Yixin’s assistance in his studies and work, described her condition during her time in Shanghai, and reviewed the experience of Zhang Zhigang, General Manager of State Grid Corporation of China, visiting Professor Ni Yixin during her illness. Cui Xiang, a professor at North China Electric Power University, recounted stories of his interactions with Professor Ni Yixin and commemorated her great character and noble demeanor.

Professor Ni Yixin’s daughter, Ms. Wang Jiajun, expressed heartfelt gratitude to all attendees, recounting Professor Ni Yixin’s dedicated contributions to the field of education and the touching teacher-student relationships she had formed.

In the concluding statement, Professor Kang Chongqing, Dean of the Department of Electrical Engineering and President of the EEA Alumni Association of Tsinghua University, spoke on behalf of Academician Qiu Yong, Party Secretary of Tsinghua University, and Professor Wang Xiqin, President of Tsinghua University. He conveyed deep condolences to Professor Ni Yixin and extended warm wishes to her family. Professor Kang Chongqing emphasized that Professor Ni Yixin was an outstanding professor and alumna of the Department of Electrical Engineering at Tsinghua University, serving as a role model for learning and personal conduct, and embodying the department’s motto of “Strict in learning and Upright in behaving.” He noted that inheriting is the best way to commemorate and striving is the best way to inherit. He encouraged everyone to learn from Professor Ni Yixin and let the radiance of her example inspire generations of young people to forge ahead.

Prior to this, on the afternoon of July 22, a farewell ceremony for Professor Ni Yixin’s remains was held at Shanghai Baoxing Funeral Parlor, attended by over 100 people including representatives from various sectors of society, family members, classmates, friends, colleagues, and students of Professor Ni Yixin. Floral tributes were offered by Tsinghua University, the Chinese Society for Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Research Association, Sun Yat-sen and Soong Ching Ling Cultural Relics Management Committee of Shanghai, Shanghai Soong Ching Ling Former Residence Memorial Hall, Shanghai Sino-West St. Mary’s No. 3 Girls’ High School, and others, along with State Grid Corporation of China’s East China Branch, State Grid Shanghai Municipal Electric Power Company, and State Grid Fujian Provincial Electric Power Company, among other enterprises, as well as Department of Electrical Engineering of Tsinghua University, Department of Electrical Engineering of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering of North China Electric Power University, Power System Research Institute of Harbin Institute of Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering of Shanghai University of Technology and Special Committee for Electrical Engineering of Tsinghua University Shanghai Alumni Association. Personalities including Qiu Yong, Wang Xiqin, Shu Yinbiao, Zeng Rong, Jin Yilian, Wu Fuli, Yang Qixun, Chen Shousun, Huang Xuenong, Zhang Zhigang, Wang Hongzhi, Chen Guoping, Shi Lianjun, Li Mingjie, Ruan Qiantu, Hu Jiangyi, Zhou Jian, Bian Beilei, Bi Tianshu, Gao Xiuhuan, Hu Feixiong, Wei Ping, and Kang Chongqing, as well as relatives, classmates, students, and colleagues of Professor Ni Yixin, all paid their respects with floral arrangements.