SICCAS traces its origins back to the Engineering Institute of National Central Academy in 1928. In 1953, it was designated as the Institute of Metallurgy and Ceramics under the auspices of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In 1959, this Institute was divided into two distinct entities. The ceramic branch evolved into the Shanghai Institute of Ceramic Chemistry and Technology, subsequently rechristened the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics in 1984.

The president of National Central Academy, Cai Yuanpei (left 3rd) and the director of the Engineering Institute, Zhou Ren (right 2nd) in 1934.

Director Zhou Ren was instructing the research work in 1956