SJTU holds 2023 Sino-German Higher Education Exchange Seminar and unveils SJTU German Center
On May 31, 2023, the Sino-German Higher Education Exchange Seminar and the Unveiling Ceremony of the SJTU German Center were held at the Lecture Hall of Pao Sui-Loong Library in the Xuhui Campus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Shi Mingde, President of the China-Germany Friendship Association and former Chinese Ambassador to Germany, Li Ping, Director of the School Planning, Construction, and Development Center of the Ministry of Education, Cai Jingmin, Party Secretary of Anhui University, Stiede, Special Representative of the German Association for the Promotion of Education and Science, Yang Zhenbin, Party Secretary of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Xu Xuemin, Vice President, representatives from the School Planning, Construction, and Development Center of the Ministry of Education, the China-Germany Friendship Association, and relevant representatives from brother universities, as well as related officials from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, attended the conference.
Yang Zhenbin warmly welcomed the attendees and extended heartfelt congratulations on the successful convening of the conference. He pointed out that the world is currently undergoing unprecedented changes, and China's education opening-up is facing new challenges and opportunities. The complex and ever-changing external environment requires us to accurately understand and adapt to changes, scientifically respond to them, and actively seek changes while implementing high-level education opening-up. He expressed sincere anticipation for the collaboration and establishment of the "German Center at Shanghai Jiao Tong University" between the university, the School Planning, Construction, and Development Center of the Ministry of Education, and the German Association for the Promotion of Education and Science and Technology. He emphasized that the center will not only enhance the international perspectives and competencies of the university's faculty and students but also contribute actively to promoting Sino-German educational exchanges.
Shi Mingde stated that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany, a pragmatic, extensive, in-depth, and solid foundation has been laid for their cooperative relationship. Education and scientific cooperation between China and Germany have played an important role within the comprehensive strategic partnership, opening up numerous areas of collaboration such as Industry 4.0, environmental protection, sustainable development, urbanization, electric vehicles, and life sciences. Both sides have also engaged in practical cooperation in areas such as pandemic-related technological collaboration, climate change, polar research, smart manufacturing, and electric vehicles, with notable achievements in higher education and vocational education. He expressed the expectation that the German Center at Shanghai Jiao Tong University would explore new areas, accumulate new experiences, serve as a role model and vanguard in promoting industry-academia-research collaboration and Sino-German applied technology cooperation in China, and make even greater contributions.
Li Ping warmly congratulated the establishment of the German Center at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He emphasized that the German Center serves as an important achievement and innovative platform for international industry-academia-research collaboration between China and Germany. In 2018, the Ministry of Education initiated measures to promote innovative education and open cooperation, creating the high-end platform of the International Industry-Academia-Research Collaboration Conference. In collaboration with institutions such as the China-Germany Friendship Association, the German Association for the Promotion of Education and Science and Technology, and the China-Germany Chamber of Commerce, a Sino-German Innovation Alliance for Industry-Academia-Research Collaboration was established. Li expressed the hope that the German Center at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, as a crucial pillar of the Sino-German Innovation Alliance, would play an important role in building a platform-oriented, systematic, ecological, and networked alliance. He envisioned it as an experimental field for deepening Sino-German cooperation.
Shi Mingde, Yang Zhenbin, Xu Xuemin, and Stiede unveiled the plaque for the German Center at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Shi Mingde, Yang Zhenbin, Li Ping, Cai Jingmin, Xu Xuemin, and Liu Zhimin, the Director of the Innovative Development Department of the School Planning, Construction, and Development Center of the Ministry of Education, jointly launched the Sino-German Research-Oriented University International Cooperation Alliance, Sino-German Applied Science and Technology University International Cooperation Alliance, and Sino-German Vocational College International Cooperation Alliance.
Liu Zhimin delivered a report titled "Building the Mechanism for Sino-German Educational Cooperation and Promoting Education Opening-up in an Orderly Manner," while Cai Jingmin presented a report on "Review, Reflections, and Prospects of Sino-German Educational Cooperation." Relevant officials from Shanghai Jiao Tong University introduced the construction plan for the Secretariat of the Center and the Sino-German Innovation Alliance for Industry-Academia-Research Collaboration.
Before the conference, Shanghai Jiao Tong University President Ding Kuiling had a warm meeting with Shi Mingde and engaged in discussions and exchanges.