In recent years, Harbin Engineering University has placed a strong emphasis on nurturing top-tier innovative talents. To accomplish this, the university has actively advanced the development of its "new engineering" initiatives, creating various talent training reform and innovation demonstration areas and experimental fields. Notable among these are the Future TechAcademy and the Southampton Ocean Engineering Joint Institute.

This commitment has resulted in several significant achievements, including the addition of 6 new engineering majors and the establishment of 33 national-level first-class undergraduate programs. Furthermore, the university received 3 second prizes in the 2022 Higher Education (Undergraduate) National Teaching Achievement Awards, indicative of its growing strength in undergraduate talent development.

On August 26, "China Education News" featured an article titled "Cultivating Outstanding Engineering Talent in the Maritime and Ocean Fields" on its front page, occupying a quarter of the page. The article highlighted the university's approach, which leverages its unique characteristics and strengths to meet the evolving demands of emerging industries. This strategy involves introducing new majors, crafting innovative courses, training fresh educators, and enhancing the learning environment. Additionally, the university has systematically revamped its "new engineering" training system, paving the way for a novel approach to talent development in this field.