On November 21st, the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) announced the results of the 2025 Academician Election. Professor Hu Zhenqi of CUMT was elected as an academician of CAE's Department of Energy and Mining Engineering. Professor Bernhard MÜLLER, a full-time foreign professor, was elected as a foreign academician of CAE's Department of Civil, Hydraulic and Architectural Engineering.

Professor Hu Zhenqi has long been engaged in research on ecological restoration of coal mining areas. He pioneered key layer reconstruction theory and technology for open-pit mine dumps, established dynamic governance technology for underground mine subsidence areas, and invented precision flame retardant technology for coal mine solid waste yards—leading China's ecological restoration theory and technology in coal mining areas to the world's advanced level. He has undertaken over 100 vertical and horizontal projects (topics), including National "863" Program projects, National Science and Technology Support Program projects, National Key R&D Program projects, and National Natural Science Foundation of China projects. He has won three Second-Class National Science and Technology Progress Awards, ten special prizes and first prizes from provincial-ministerial level authorities and national industry associations; holds 54 authorized invention patents; published 10 monographs; and authored or co-authored (as corresponding author) over 191 SCI/EI-indexed papers. His honors include Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation Science and Technology Progress Award, National Innovation Award, China Youth Science and Technology Award and Lifetime Achievement Award (William T Plass Award) from the American Society of Reclamation (Restoration) Sciences. He is also a national candidate of the New Century Talents Project and a distinguished professor under national major talent programs

Professor Bernhard MÜLLER has long focused on urban and regional sustainable development, spatial planning, and ecological transition.. Appointed as a Distinguished Scholar of CUMT on a full-time basis in September 2023. He has leveraged his international academic influence to lead the college's research team in urban-regional sustainable development, spatial planning, and ecological transition planning. He established a research team for sustainable transformation and innovation of China's coal-resource-based cities and regions initiated "Xuzhou·Sustainable Development Series International Lectures" invited international experts to deliver high-quality academic activities, promoted the university's research achievements at international forums, and built a broad international platform for the university's teaching scientific research and talent cultivation.

In recent years, CUMT has vigorously implemented its "Talent Strengthening University" strategy, enhanced faculty development and high-level talent cultivation optimized systems for high-level talents, and stimulated talent vitality. It has nurtured a large number of outstanding high-level talents, including academicians, national teaching masters and recipients of national major talent programs. Taking this opportunity, CUMT will continue to advance high-quality development of its high-level faculty and talent teams, providing solid talent support for building a world-class university with energy and resource characteristics.