From December 5th to 12th, 2023, Yang Zhenbin, the Party Secretary of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, led a delegation to visit three Western European countries. The delegation visited several partner universities, research institutions, and multinational corporate headquarters in cities such as Paris, Munich, Leeds, Oxford, London, and Coventry. They also visited alumni in cities including Paris, Munich, Oxford, and London. Additionally, Secretary Yang attended the joint management committee meeting of SJTU Paris Elite Institute of Technology（SPEIT）.
On the 5th, Yang Zhenbin and his delegation arrived in Paris. He attended the 22nd SPEIT joint management committee meeting, where they reviewed the work report of the joint institute and discussed relevant adjustments and future development strategies. Secretary Yang also had exchanges with SJTU students studying in Paris, visited the Chinese Embassy in France, and met with Minister Chen Dong. Minister Chen appreciated the achievements in the SJTU Sino-French medical education collaboration and the Excellence in Engineering Education collaboration. He also expressed anticipation for the university's contributions to the celebration of the 60th anniversary of Sino-French diplomatic relations in 2024.
The 22nd SPEIT joint management committee meeting (Paris)
On the afternoon of the 6th, the delegation visited the Technical University of Munich and met with President Thomas F. Hofmann. Both parties presented the latest developments at their respective universities and expressed the hope to deepen and expand collaboration in various areas such as talent development, innovation, and entrepreneurship, building upon existing cooperative projects.
The delegation met with Thomas F. Hofmann, the President of the Technical University of Munich
In the afternoon of the 6th, the delegation attended the unveiling ceremony of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University German Center Munich Base. Consul General Tong Defa from the Chinese Consulate in Munich attended the ceremony and delivered a speech. Also present at the ceremony were representatives from the Technical University of Munich, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, RWTH Aachen University, as well as representatives from various institutions and companies. Some German alumni and SJTU students studying in Germany were also in attendance.
In his address, Yang Zhenbin stated that the world is currently undergoing unprecedented changes, and internationalized education faces new challenges and opportunities. The complex and ever-changing external environment demands increased communication among global universities. Shanghai Jiao Tong University will focus on advancing educational and cultural exchanges with German universities and other European institutions through the efforts of the German Center and the Munich Base, taking this cooperation to a new level.
In his speech, Consul General Tong Defa pointed out that as comprehensive strategic partners, deepening cooperation in the field of education between China and Germany not only contributes to their own development but also injects confidence and impetus into global development. The establishment of the German Center by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the setting up of a base in Munich serve as a model for promoting Sino-German educational exchange and cooperation. This initiative underscores China's commitment to openness, especially in the field of education.
Tong Defa and Yang Zhenbin unveiled the plaque for the Shanghai Jiao Tong University German Center Munich Base
On the 7th, the delegation visited Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. Leaders from both universities discussed matters related to joint training programs, including scale and fields of cooperation. During the visits to the headquarters of BMW and Siemens AG, the delegation shared the latest developments of the university, the construction of the German Center and Munich Base, as well as the strategic development connotations of the "neoBay". BMW and Siemens introduced their company development strategies and visions, expressing the desire to maintain close communication and seek mutual development.
During the visit to the Fraunhofer Society, both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on the working conditions of the three jointly established innovation platforms. The directors of the five institutes under the Fraunhofer Society also provided detailed introductions to their respective research fields and expertise. They proposed suggestions for further expanding and deepening cooperation and exchanges between the two parties.
The delegation held working discussions at the Fraunhofer Society
On the 8th, the delegation arrived at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom and met with President Hai-Sui Yu. Both parties reached a consensus on enhancing the Seed Fund project and establishing a joint training program for management personnel. They expressed the hope that this would serve as an opportunity to advance comprehensive strategic cooperation between the two universities.
Yang Zhenbin met with President Hai-Sui Yu of the University of Leeds
On the 9th and 10th, the delegation also visited the SAIC Motor UK Design Center and engaged in discussions on strengthening cooperation in joint training and innovation projects in the future.
On the 11th, the delegation visited the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom and met with President Stuart Croft. Yang Zhenbin and Stuart Croft signed a joint agreement for the co-conferment of doctoral degrees between the two universities, aiming to advance joint training and seed fund projects. Stuart Croft also presented the University of Warwick's excellent performance in the recent nationwide teaching assessment, achieving outstanding results in teaching effectiveness, learning environment, and student experience. Yang Zhenbin reviewed the various forms of continuous personnel exchanges and successful innovative teaching collaborations between Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the University of Warwick over the past three years. Both parties agreed to comprehensively enhance the collaboration between the two universities.
Yang Zhenbin and Stuart Croft signed an agreement for the joint conferment of doctoral degrees for graduate students
On the 12th, the delegation visited the University of Oxford and had discussions with Sir Tim Hitchens, the President of Wolfson College, and Martin William, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of Oxford. Both parties shared and discussed global student affairs, focusing on the similarities and differences in mental health education trends, university responsibilities, and exemplary practices.
The delegation held discussions with Martin William, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs at the University of Oxford
Yang Zhenbin met with Sir Tim Hitchens, the President of Wolfson College at the University of Oxford
The school delegation's European tour has achieved the expected results, including the number of visited universities, research institutions, and domestic and international companies, as well as the agreements and types of cooperation intentions established. The trip has also contributed to the formation of the university's international influence. It has laid a more solid foundation for the school to deepen and expand bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the global higher education sector.
The delegation members represented various units such as the International Cooperation and Exchange Office, the Alumni Association, the Graduate School, the Michigan Joint Institute, the School of Design, and the School of Materials Science and Engineering.