On May 8, 2024, representatives from the China offices of 11 North American universities visited Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) to attend the North American Universities’ China Office Symposium. The delegation included heads of China Office of Boston University, University of Toronto, the Ohio State University, Harvard University, University of Rochester, University of Minnesota, University of Southern California, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, and Georgia Tech Shenzhen Institute.

SJTU Vice President Liu Weidong, Director of the Division of International Cooperation and Exchange Luo Peng, along with representatives from the Graduate School and related schools, participated in the event.

Vice President Liu Weidong extended a warm welcome to the delegation. He highlighted Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s commitment to its educational philosophy of “comprehensiveness, innovation, and internationalization”. Steadfastly dedicated to its internationalization strategies, SJTU expects to strengthen ties with North American institutions to explore new collaborative models that would foster mutual development and create win-win outcomes for all parties involved.

Xin Zhao (Director of the University of Toronto China Office), Fangyuan Liu, (Director of the University of Minnesota China Office), and Lina Zhang (Senior Program Manager of the University of Rochester) respectively shared their institutional profiles and international collaboration strategies.

Chen Ke, Deputy Director of the Division of International Cooperation and Exchange, presented SJTU’s recent developments and international engagement priorities.

Wang Qian, Director of the International Affairs Office of the Graduate School, presented SJTU’s graduate programs and application procedures for global students.

Wei Ma, Deputy Director of the Division of International Cooperation and Exchange and Director of the International Student Center, presented SJTU’s initiatives in student exchange programs, summer programs, and research internships.

Later, the delegation toured several cutting-edge facilities at SJTU, including: the Institute of Translational Medicine Building, the Electron Microscopy & Imaging Unit, and the Spectrometry& Spectroscopy Unit.

Subsequently, the delegation visited the UM-SJTU Joint Institute (JI). Professor Qianbin Chen, Dean of JI, provided a comprehensive introduction to the institute’s development and guided the guests through the Tang Junyuan Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center and the Light Chasers of the New Era exhibition.

This symposium demonstrated SJTU’s commitment to open collaboration with North American universities, showcasing its comprehensive strengths in academic disciplines, research facilities, and campus environment. Serving as an effective platform, the event fostered enhanced interaction between SJTU and North American universities, as well as facilitating exchanges among the North American institutions themselves.

Representatives from multiple SJTU divisions and schools participated in the symposium, including: Division of International Cooperation and Exchange, the Graduate School, School of Mechanical Engineering, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, School of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, School of Mathematical Sciences, School of Agriculture and Biology, School of International and Public Affairs, School of Media and Communication, School of Design, the UM-SJTU Joint Institute, the SJTU-USC Institute of Cultural and Creative Industry, Zhiyuan College, Institute of Translational Medicine, and Department of Sports.