Abstract: With the ongoing advancement of China’s Emerging Engineering Education initiative, graduate education systems and teaching methodologies in universities are undergoing profound transformations. This study presents the systematic development of an innovation-oriented graduate training system at South China University of Technology, focusing on international frontiers in functional molecular engineering, particularly green and low-carbon synthesis and catalysis. The reform encompasses three key aspects: (1) Curriculum design that breaks disciplinary boundaries through modular course clusters incorporating cutting-edge content like green synthesis and advanced catalysis; (2) A research education model featuring a coordinated “supervisor group-frontier project-academic exchange” mechanism to enable comprehensive research training; and (3) Practical training through industry-academia collaboration platforms that employ real-world projects and dual-supervisor systems to enhance engineering practice and innovation transformation capabilities. This system has successfully cultivated high-quality talent with green and low-carbon research competencies for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, while providing a replicable model for graduate education reform in related disciplines.

Key words: Chemistry discipline, Postgraduate education, Innovative ability, Multidimensional integration, Functional molecular engineering