Professor Li Zhiyi graduated from Dalian University of Technology (DUT) with bachelor degree of Chemical Technology in December 1981 and master of Chemical Process Equipment in December 1984. In July 1991 he was enrolled in University of Erlangen-Nuremberg under the joint scholarship and obtained his doctor degree in July 1993.

Professor Li began his teaching career in DUT in 1985. He has served as doctoral supervisor since July 2000. He was deputy head of the school of Chemical Engineering of DUT between 1998 and 2002. He was elected as vice president of DUT in August 2006.