UZH Students gathering, 18 September

On the initiative of the University of Zurich we organized a gathering for their exchange students, which just arrived in Shanghai. Invited were also all other Swiss students, as well as the UZH Alumni and interns working at different Swiss institutions in Shanghai, e.g. the Consulate General and the Swiss Center Shanghai. It was a delight to welcome such a large number of participants from all over Switzerland, who could get to know each other over a delicious Chinese dinner. After tasting many different dishes from the Sichuan cuisine, and ideally located in the lively French Concession, the whole group moved to a nearby bar, to further share already made experiences and discuss ideas for the next months. The gathering was a perfect base for starting a valuable network among the young Swiss, which will not only last for their exchange in China, and therefore it was a big success.

We hope the group enjoyed the evening as much as we did and wish them an interesting and fruitful stay in Shanghai. Maybe some of them will welcome one day Swiss students in Shanghai too!

- Contributed by Isabel Bolliger – Academic Intern in cooperation with UZH

Visit Summer School of the University of Basel, 21 August

The various group from the University of Basel spend two weeks in Shanghai for intensive language classes, where they also paid a visit to swissnex China on 21, August, 2014.

After an introduction about the mission and activities of swissnex China, they received a presentation on working in China by the Swiss Attorney-at-Law Denis F. Berger. Based in Shanghai for already three years, he could give the students valuable insights in cultural differences he experiences in his professional everyday life. Humorous anecdotes about funny and sometimes also frustrating incidents, experienced also by the Swiss swissnex staff, triggered many questions on the side of the students and lead to a very lively exchange.

The following day the group had the possibility to visit the Swiss Center Shanghai, a Sino-Swiss private-public partnership and the by far largest cluster of Swiss enterprises in China. After an very informative presentation about the center’s activities and services to SMEs, which intend to, or already entered the Chinese market, the students also learned about challenges and opportunities of the Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone, where the Center recently moved to. Afterwards the students could visit the showroom of GF Machining Solutions, a Swiss EDM (electrical discharge machining) machine-tool manufacturer. The students had so many questions, that there was at the end not enough time to visit the other planned showrooms.

We wish the dynamic students a great stay in China and hope they did not only get a comprehensive picture about living in Shanghai, but also want to come back one day to work and live in China.

- Contributed by Isabel Bolliger, Academic Intern

Visit Students delegation of the University of Health Sciences (HESAV), 15th August

On July  15, 2014 swissnex China welcomed a group of future nurses in Shanghai. They followed very attentively the generic introduction, given by a member of the Swiss consulate, on the relations between China and Switzerland. After knowing more about the great interest of Switzerland in China they received also a presentation on swissnex and specially about the field of Innovation in China. The great dynamic of life and Innovation in their host country made a deep impression on the group of young women and triggered more detailed questions.

We hope they all gained many interesting insights during the visit and hope they enjoyed a successful continuation of their study trip.

- Contributed by Isabel Bolliger, Academic Intern

Swiss Space Exhibition, 1st of August 2014

As we all know, science is fun! Especially when our team in Beijing tries to reproduce the Clean Space One, the world's first space debris cleaner, from the Swiss Space Center, catching the Swiss Cube, Switzerland's first satellite, with a toy catcher machine.

The Swiss Space exhibition was part of a bigger project: the Swiss National day and the 40th anniversary of the Swiss Embassy in Sanlitun.  For this occasion, about 1300 guests were invited on the 1st of August at the Embassy to celebrate “Switzerland in motion” by commemorating the history of the Embassy and Swiss traditions, while celebrating a modern, innovative and young Switzerland. The lucky guests visited various exhibitions under the sound of nice music, took part to some activities and, last but not least, enjoyed some Swiss gathering (raclette, chocolate, wine, beer,…). It was certainly an evening they will remember, and so will we. 

UIBE Sustainability student workshop, 4th August

On Aug 4th 2014, an afternoon with a light rain, Swiss Embassy in Beijing organized a presentation for 30 students who come from different universities all over China. These students have been selected to participate in a summer school on "Social Responsibility”. This summer school, which is called College Student Corporate Social Responsibility Summer Camp, was held by the Center for International Business Ethic (CIBE) of the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) in Beijing.

Mr. Nektarios Palaskas, Science and Technology Counsellor and  head of Science, Technology and Education Section of the Embassy

The students were hosted at Ambassador’s residence. After a short welcome speech by Mr. Nektarios Palaskas, Science and Technology Counsellor and  head of Science, Technology and Education Section of the Embassy, Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kinzelbach gave a presentation on: “Sustainable Water Resources Management: From Global to Local Issues.”

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kinzelbach has been Full Professor of Hydromechanics at ETH Zurich since January 1996. His current main interest is sustainable water resources management in arid and semi-arid regions, especially in Africa and China. He is also an expert of the Sino-Swiss Development Cooperation Project: Rehabilitation and Management Strategy for over pumped Aquifers under a Changing Climate, an initiative supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Chinese government. In this presentation, Dr. Wolfgang Kinzelbach indicated the scarcity of underground and ground water resources. Through figures and pictures, he showed students a clear understanding about the serious problem of water resource over pumping in China.

Prof. Kinzelbach’s presentation attracted student’s interest successfully, and every student listened to this speech very carefully and the whole process had a fantastic atmosphere. Although Prof. Kinzelbach had already finished his presentation and the session of Q&A, students were still sitting around and discussing their interested topics with him.

The workshop was not the end of this event; students also enjoyed a coffee break while they continued the discussion on the presentation. They were then shown around the Embassy compound, including the historic exhibition and space exhibition installed to celebrate the National Day on August 1st.  The visit to the Embassy was extremely interesting for the students who all left with a sense of attachment to Switzerland. 

Visit Gymnasium Baden and Shanghai Industrial and Commercial Foreign Languages School, 16 July

On the occasion of the first trip to China, within the framework of the cooperation between the Gymnasium Baden Switzerland and the Shanghai Industrial and Commercial Foreign Languages School, the group of students visited us on July 16, 2014.

After an introduction about swissnex China, our activities, our mission and work here, the students had all sorts of questions! Eager to learn more about life in China, the students (both from Switzerland and China) asked about the differences in daily life here in China compared to Switzerland, and what a Swiss citizen could miss from home, and what kind of special Chinese dishes one has tried. But also questions regarding cultural gap or the gap between rich and poor, have been asked, also wondering on what business from Switzerland is popular here, and which companies would come to China.

A broad variety of questions, asked by young dynamic students! We hope they all gained some interesting insights during the presentations and the Q&A and wish them best of luck for a successful continuation of the study trip!

The Challenges on Social Business in China，a Club HEC Lausanne event on 8th July

Each year, HEC Lausanne organizes a summer school in Shanghai managed by Professor Marc Laperrouza, expert in emerging markets at the University of Lausanne. This year, 22 students took part of the program and will spend 10 days studying some parts of the Chinese economy (distribution, luxury), discover some aspects of Chinese culture (calligraphy, kitchen, etc..) and deepen the concepts of "global mindset." 

Within this summer school, one day (8 of July 2014) is dedicated to the relation between Swiss and China in term of business. For this reason, the group has spent the half of the afternoon and the entire evening at swissnex China. 

The activity of the afternoon was dedicated on the import of Swiss products like cenovis or Alp horn in China. In 20 minutes, the student had to draw up a strategy to sell these products in China and had also invented an advertising slogan. After that, each group showed its results in 5 minutes. The presentations were very interesting and creative.

The evening was animated by an event organized by the Club HEC Lausanne with the help of swissnex China. The event started with a conference on the challenges on social business in China and finished by a nice networking apero between the students and the few Alumni from Swiss University. To cover the conference, we had the honor to have Floriane Lemoine, the project manager of Shanghai Young Bakers, as a speaker. She is a graduate from Sciences Po Paris and Peking University. She is passionate by china and sustainable development. That is why she decided to work at Shanghai Young Bakers. Founded in 2008, this association is a charity program providing a fully-sponsored French bakery training to disadvantaged Chinese youth. During the conference, we learnt more about the aim of the program and how does it work in term of logistic and funding.

Finnaly, we had a successful networking apero thanks to the delicious buffet provided by the association itself. The students started a rich exchange with the Alumni from Swiss University who live in Shanghai and discussed about their experiences at the University of Lausanne and more globally in Switzerland or/and in China.

The IHEID Geneva Delegation visits Bejing, 30th, June

The red and yellow flag of Geneva was proudly flying at the Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing on June 30th. Ambassador de Dardel received an academic delegation from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva (IHEID) and IHEID Alumni in China. Among the guests were the Institute's Director, M. Philippe Burrin, and many professors and policymakers in the field of international economics, both from IHEID and other research institutes. During the visit to China, the IHEID extended its cooperation with Chinese partners and held a scientific conference on financial market reform and regulation, together with the Central University of Finance and Economics, with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and others.

Swiss Day at Fudan University, 16 June

Fudan is an excellent university in both social science and natural sciences in comprehensive fields and thus one of the most interesting sources of potential students to fill various levels of study positions in Switzerland. As it is the first Swiss Day in Fudan University, the highlight of the event was the session of two presentations: a lecture from Prof. Thierry Courvoisier, astrophysicist at University of Geneva and President of the Swiss Academy of Sciences and Arts and another speech from Prof. Kurt Wüthrich, biophysicist at ETH Zurich, Nobel Chemistry laureate in 2002. Mr. Heinrich Schellenberg, Consul General of Switzerland in Shanghai also delivered his welcome greetings to the event.

Pascal Marmier, CEO of swissnex China and Prof. ZHU Chouwen, Dean of Fudan University Foreign Affairs Office

On the 16th June, swissnex China and Fudan University co-organized the Swiss day at the foreign affairs office building of Fudan University.

Several talks where organized, among which Prof. Thierry Courvoisier (astrophysicist at University of Geneva and President of the Swiss Academy of Sciences and Arts) over-viewed the actual status of research in Switzerland and continued his talk on High Energy Astrophysics with lots of interesting examples of astral corps in the galaxy.

Furthermore, we had the pleasure to receive Prof. Kurt Wüthrich (2002 Nobel Chemistry laureate), who gave a passionate talk about the evolution of the basic research in ETH Zurich and its impact on our daily life.

After a delicious break, alumni and admission officer from several Swiss universities including HEC Lausanne, EPFL, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva and Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne gave short presentation of their universities and the studying programs as well as answering student’s questions.

All day long, students from Fudan passed by, looking for information about the higher education in Switzerland, showing their strong desire to study in Switzerland for a Master or a PhD. Overall, this event was a good platform to promote Swiss universities.

－ Contributed by Liliane Gonzalez, Academic Intern at swissnex China

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swissnex China is organizing a series of Swiss Day events at different universities in Shanghai and Beijing (Beihang University, 12th June), aiming to promote Swiss higher education, research and innovation to the students and faculties from first-class Chinese universities, while providing a platform for Swiss universities to present themselves and the Chinese alumni community of Swiss universities to exchange. The next "Swiss Day" will be in October, at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

We welcome universities and tech-organizations to participate! Contact our Project Leader Academic Relations, Ms Linda Lou to find out more. Email: linda.lou@swissnexchina.org

Swiss Day in Beihang University, 12th June

On the 12th of June 2014, Swiss flags were flying all over Beihang University campus. By holding a the first "Swiss Day" in Beijing, the Swiss Embassy and swissnex China, together with Beihang University, not only promoted Swiss higher education, but also highlighted Switzerland’s activities in space technology and space science.

During the day, four temporary exhibitions were located in four different spots in the campus. On the first spot, students could learn about Swiss space science (Claude Nicollier, Swiss space policy, the Swiss Space Center of EPFL). On the second, the CERN was introduced. On the third spot the visitors could take pictures of themselves in a Swiss train driving through the Alps, thanks to a photo booth provided by Switzerland Tourism. Finally, next to the conference room, the participants enjoyed a pictures gallery by the Swiss science photographer Fabian Oefner. During the whole day, information materials, quiz games and goodies informed and entertained the passerby.

About 200 participants joined the speech session in the afternoon. The welcome address by Beihang president Prof. HUAI Jinpeng and the opening speech by the Swiss Embassy’s Chargé d’affaires Salome Meyer were followed by the signing ceremony of an agreement between BUAA and EPFL. Then Prof. Thierry Courvoisier, President of the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Geneva, explored his field's role for society in his lecture "Astrophysics, Space Science and Geopolitics". After a break with iced Alp tea and snacks, the lecture on "Space Debris" by Prof. Volker Gass, Director of Swiss Space Center at EPFL, concluded the afternoon program. In the evening, the Swiss movie Tutti Giù was projected in front of about 80 viewers and ended this exciting day with a touch of melancholy.

Swiss Week 2014, 28 May - 2 June

After the official opening ceremony on May 28, 2014, the Swiss Week exhibition opened its doors for the public until June 2, 2014. swissnex China was present at the “Institution Booth”, together with the Consulate General of Switzerland, Swiss Business Hub, Swiss Chamber of Commerce, and with the kind  support of Switzerland Tourism and Swiss Learning. 

Together with the Young Swiss in China, we organized a gathering for the Swiss University Alumni on Friday, May 30, 2014. An interesting mix of Alumni, mostly based in Shanghai, but we even had some guest from Chengdu and Beijing! A culinary highlight was the spontaneously offered RACELETTE from SWISS MOOH! 

I am a Swiss Week expert!

Our Academic Intern, Elsa Bouzaglo has created a Quiz with various questions, related to the companies present, including a “Vita Parcours Element” in the end. Check out or sporty visitors!! Furthermore we had a Drawing Contest for all kids and got some really creative drawings. Soon the jury will select a lucky winner!

We really enjoyed this year’s set-up due to the special “Swiss Village Character” in Huaihai Park. Our booth wasn’t just a place to promote Swiss Higher Education, Research and Innovation. During the rain storm we even became the refuge for the artist’s playing the alphorn.    

The second edition of Swiss Week Shanghai went by in a blink of an eye and it was full of fun!

We would like to thank our partnering institutions, the Consulate General of Switzerland, Swiss Business Hub, Swiss Chamber of Commerce, Switzerland Tourism and Swiss Learning for their support, and we would like to congratulate SIM and their organizing team to a successful exhibition!   

Didn’t you have the time or chance to come see us at our booth?

Then feel free to come visit us in our office or connect with us here!

Swiss Day of Tongji, 23 May

After the success of the first Swiss Day of Tongji in May 2012, swissnex China decided to start a “Swiss Day in Chinese Universities” tour, aiming to promote the excellence of Swiss higher education, technology and innovation to China’s young future leaders. Again in 2014, Tongji has been chosen as the first stop of this new tour because the cooperation it has established with Swiss universities, such as ETH, EPFL, Bern University of Arts and many others, has stepped into a higher level during the past two years.

On 23 May, starting with a selection of video showcase the state-of-the-art technology development in Switzerland as well as the latest promotional video from various Swiss universities, the lecture Room 704 in Tongji’s Siping Lu Campus was immediately filled up with attention and curiosity from Tongji students. 

"What can Switzerland offer besides its beautiful nature and delicious chocolate?"

We had a full program and experts from different aspects answering this question: Pascal Marmier, CEO of swissnex China, gave an introduction of Swiss Science Diplomacy and Swiss Higher Education; Prof. Dr. Zhou Aiguo, presented success stories of Sino-Swiss cooperation in the academic field; Prof. Xin Yin from Y-Institute, established between Bern University of Arts and Tongji with a focus of interdisciplinary projects, showed a special art project combining music and visual performance; Prof. Max von Zedtwitz, Director of GLORAD Research Center for Global R&D and Innovation, elaborated his study on the roles of Switzerland and China within the global context.

Besides these inspiring presentations, the attendance of our Swiss universities’ alumni can be considered as another highlight of the event, they represented universities such as EPFL, HEC Lausanne, University of Geneva, University of Zurich, Zurich University of Applied Sciences and so on. They offered face-to-face Q&A discussions for Tongji students, sharing their study and life experience in Switzerland. Additionally, we invited Mr. Fan Ye, alumnus from Bern University of Arts and known as a very gifted classical guitarist who played with elegance and sensitivity, taking us travel in the lovely music.

 At the end, the event was concluded with a funny quiz session and a lucky draw, followed by a rich finger food buffet with Swiss specialties. All the guests enjoyed a stimulated networking part with the possibility to meet all the alumni and speakers. We hope the “Swiss Day of Tongji” will become a tradition and bring opportunities for all the participants.

Related information:

Don’t miss the next Swiss Day at Fudan on June 16th!

German Day at the KIC, 17 May

On the 17th of May 2014, Swissnex China and the Consulate General of Switzerland in Shanghai participated in the German Day at the KIC Conference Center. German is one of the 4 national languages of Switzerland and is the most spoken language, numerous universities are in the German part of Switzerland and Chinese students speaking German find it an attractive place to study and live.

Wenling Yao (left) and the author (middle) 

The Swiss booth is popular!

All day long, students from several Chinese Universities passed by our stand, looking for information about the higher education in Switzerland. The presence of Wenling Yao was valuable; this Chinese student from Fudan Univesity spent 5 months at the University of Zurich to do an exchange in economics. Her experience in Switzerland gave a very good insight to Chinese students that asked her about the living costs and how she was able to find a place for her exchange.

Other Swiss students were also present and were able to answer more technical questions like specific language requirements (German and English levels), exam registration, different program courses taught at the Swiss Universities, or the necessary requirements to apply for Master or PhD studies. Some were also interested in Swiss art schools and students asked several precise questions on our WeChat group and our Weibo webpage.

Overall, this event was a good platform to promote Swiss universities, as many visitors were students from top universities in China who have strong desire to study in a German-speaking country.

－ Contributed by Liliane Gonzalez, Academic Intern at swissnex China

Insight China Delegation of FHNW attended "China Going Green" Lecture at swissnex China, 22 April

“The lecture offered a good occasion for exchanges between Swiss and Chinese students, giving them a new perspective on China’s sustainable development. ”

On the 22nd, April of 2014, Swissnex China welcomed the delegation from University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW). Located in the city of Olto, FHNW is a state-accredited university of applied sciences, providing undergraduate education, continuing education, consulting, and applied research and development. At the same time, it offers a greatly enhanced infrastructure and a wide choice of programs and facilities (the university website is http://www.fhnw.ch/).  The delegation is consisted of 30 selected undergraduate students and FHNW lecturers. Shanghai is the third stop of their field trip in China included in the Insight China Project (more information about the Insight China Project can be referred to http://www.insightchina.ch/). They participated in China Going Green Lecture organized by Swissnex China, together with other 30 Chinese students respectively coming from Shanghai University of International Business and Economics and Shanghai University.

During the lecture, Swissnex Director Pascal Marmier introduced the various fields of Sino-Chinese partnership where Swissnex China is now involved, and Swiss students were very curious about the internship opportunities at Swissnex China. Ms. Zhanyu Li, the intern at Swissnex China also gave a presentation on Sustainable Development in China, serving as food for thoughts for the following group discussion. The discussion mixed by Chinese and Swiss students was concentrated on the current issues of sustainability in China, like the waste management, pollution alleviation, and green technologies.

After the inspiring discussion, the students from both sides enjoyed the networking part with finger food served.

－ Contributed by Zhanyu Li, Academic Intern at swissnex China

Insight China: Joint Lecture on Energy Policy, 15 April

A group of about 20 students from the University of Applied Sciences and Art Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) is currently on a two-week study trip in within the 13th edition of the international student project Insight China. This year, the topic of the project is: “China going green?”

On April 15 2014, the Science Section of the Embassy of Switzerland in China and the Ambassador of Switzerland, Mr. Jean-Jacques de Dardel, organized a joint lecture for the FHNW students together with the Center for International Buisness Ethic from the University of International Economics (UIBE-CIBE). The first lecture, “What can we learn from Swiss green policies?”, was given by Prof. JIANG Yufan from FHNW. He explained Switzerland's energy policy in a historical perspective. Prof LIU Baocheng from UIBE-CIBE introduced China's energy policy in the second lecture. He situated China on its way to a “ethical economy”, where responsibility and reputation take the lead over short-term profit. After a lively Q&A session, the students from both universities shared a cocktail with the lecturers, the Ambassador and the Embassy staff.

Contributed by Eveline Bagnoud Zhou, Intern at Swiss Embassy Beijing

First Gathering of University of Lausanne Alumni Shanghai Group, 8 April

We are happy to inform you that the ALUMNIL Shanghai group has been officially launched in the swissnex China office on April 8. This launch event was held in a relaxed and cosy atmosphere. Fifteen alumni from the University of Lausanne gathered, including some exchange students. The goal of the evening was to present the ALUMNIL network and its board in Shanghai made up of three women working in Shanghai: Lucie Barone, Caroline Tran and Chen Chen. We also encouraged people to join the platform (www. unil.ch/alumnil/adherer) by showing them the opportunities that it offers. It has been created in 2011 in order to gather all UNIL graduates and exchanges students. Currently, this platform is used by more than 20’000 graduates from all around the world. Inside, one can find information related to events, publications or job opportunities. This really provides a perfect way to connect academics and professionals.

During the evening, we had the honor to host the speaker M. Ulf Richter who has presented the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) concept. In the past, M. Richter received a Doctorate in Economic Sciences from HEC Lausanne for his thesis on corporate responsibility in a globalizing world. With his amazing working experience from all around the world (Switzerland, Africa, China), M. Richter gave us some great anecdotes about his observations on CSR. He explained us how important is it for a company to have a code of good CSR practice. Through that, a firm can prevent most of the social issues it has to deal with, when for instance, it outsources a part of the work in another country. He also shared his involvement at Nestlé Cocoan Plan in Côte d’Ivoire and explained us how Nestlé manages its code of good CSR practice.

Finally, we ended this wonderful evening around a buffet provided by Shanghai Young Bakers. This is a charity association that provides a fully-sponsored French bakery training to disadvantaged Chinese youth (aged 17-23), enabling them to find qualified jobs and lead independent lives after graduation. Around some delicious finger food, people started a rich exchange and discussed about their experiences at the University of Lausanne and more globally in Switzerland. At the end, we asked everybody to sign a poster so as to keep a nice souvenir of the evening.

Contributed by Elsa Bouzaglo, Academic Intern

University of Geneva Alumni Gathering, 20 March

Chinese food has always been attractive and surprising!

At the end of March, a delegation from the University of Geneva, Professor Yves FLUCKIGER, Professor Nicolas LEVRAT and Dr. Pierre WILLA, spent a few days in Beijing to visit Chinese Universities. They took this opportunity to host a “University of Geneva Alumni Gathering” in the capital on March 20th. About 25 Chinese and Swiss alumni, all living in Beijing, met the three visitors in a traditional Chinese courtyard in the center of Beijing (Nanluoguxiang). The participants and their former professors enjoyed the good weather, sharing memories, news and dinner. The evening was highly appreciated among the former students. "Being one of them, I welcome the professors back to Beijing, hoping for a new alumni event!", said by Eveline Bagnoud Zhou, new intern at Swiss Embassy Beijing.

Contributed by Eveline Bagnoud Zhou, Intern at Swiss Embassy Beijing

A Scientific Breakfast on Digital Education, 14 March

In a relaxed atmosphere, nearly fifty people have debated about the issue of digital in education. The host of this scientific breakfast was Mr. Renaud Edouard-Baraud, Director of L’Atelier affiliate to the BNP Paribas Group. During his presentation, he highlighted the role of a teacher before and after the era of the digital particularly on how now students can challenge their professors through this easy access of knowledge that the Internet offers. He also mentioned how it is easy today to deliver courses through the Internet. Indeed, this technology can be used by most of people in the world. Today, we can be a part of a distance course even offered by well-known universities such as Harvard or MIT. This last innovation named MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses). This concept has been launched first in United States but has been quickly spread all around the world.

In China, MOOCs are just in the beginning phase and mainly focus on English course, an important added value to distinguish from others due to the student competition. The free aspect attracts a lot the Chinese people who are not ready to spend a lot of money in this kind of education. Even a video company named YY developed an interesting concept to bring people interest on Online Education. They decided to give money to people who ended a course and take money from people who give up.

Finally, this subject was really in the news and brought a lot of interesting questions from the audience such as are children still need to learn how to write? Or should they rather learn how to code? There are not yet answers but this are some aspect to take into account with the coming of more and more technologies in our daily life.

- Contributed by Elsa Bouzaglo, Academic Intern swissnex China

Report - Situation Analysis: Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in China

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) first originated in the USA, but became popular internationally in recent years. These free, high quality online courses have made a breakthrough in China in 2013, when Cousera and edX, two major MOOC platforms partnered up with Chinese universities to offer their courses online. Local MOOC platforms, such as Coursera Zone, XuetangX, Kaikeba and TopU.com, appeared within the same timeframe. While those are able to provide a service which on a technical, language and cultural level better suits Chinese needs, Coursera and edX have the advantage of offering courses from international top universities and therefore attracting the higher educated students. Although the opportunity MOOCs provide in terms of making education available to anyone and everywhere – increasing the influence and reputation of Chinese Universities abroad - concerns have been raised as well. These include the fear that lower-tier universities might be pushed out of business or that China’s ideology might be affected when foreign ideas are imported via MOOCs.

The spread of MOOCs in China is just in the beginning phase, but with awareness rapidly increasing, a raising number of students will make use of this new study format and more Chinese universities will join the movement. This creates new educational opportunities for universities. On one side, blended forms of learning, through incorporating MOOCs into traditional programs will emerge and on the other side, local and international cooperation opportunities are taken to a new level. Swiss universities can benefit from new forms of collaboration possibilities. Not only will it be easier to find adequate partner universities, but it will also open the possibility to exchange MOOC courses and offer joint MOOCs and programs.

This report will give you a comprehensive overview about the current development of MOOCs in China, the major platforms as well as its challenges and opportunities in the future. Read it via onilne PDF here (64 KB).

Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts Delegation Visits to Chinese Universities, 6-7 March

swissnex China continues facilitating the internationalization of Swiss University of Applied Sciences in China - a delegation with 5 members from the School of Engineering and Architecture, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts(HSLU),  led by its Dean, Prof. René Hüsler, and the Director of HSLU’s International Affairs , Prof. Uwe Schulz, paid a 2-day visits to Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Tongji University.  The main purpose of the visits is to develop student and faculty exchange and research opportunities with China. This is the 3rd visit of HSLU to China since 2013.

In Tongji, the delegation visited CAUP, School of City Architecture and Urban Planning and CDHAW, the Sino-German College of Applied Sciences.  At CAUP, they discussed concrete steps of achieving the student/faculty exchange program in the near future. At CDHAW, Prof. Porche, the vice dean of the CDHAW, and the International Affairs Office welcomed the delegation, a discussion about the possibility of bringing in a Swiss applied science university into the CDHAW alliance was followed.

The Sino-German College of Applied Sciences (CDHAW) is a joint educational program sponsored by the Chinese and German governments. Now the program is being carried on by Tongji and its German cooperative partners. The College aims to introduce the operating mode of Applied Sciences Universities in Germany and turn out international business professionals for both countries.

In Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the delegation had a friendly meeting at the School of Mechanical Engineering. They exchanged their experiences in international academic cooperation, and demonstrated their intention to initiate exchange student programs between each other.  Prof. Schulz also presented the past and ongoing research programs at the Lucerne University of Applied Science in the field of ecological building materials and construction.  After the meeting, the delegation visited the Sino-Italian Green Energy Laboratory (GEL) located at the SJTU campus.

The universities of applied sciences in Switzerland have shown their strong interest with China. For example, the University of Applied Sciences in Eastern Switzerland (HES-SO), Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) and University of Applied Sciences in Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) have strategic agreements with swissnex China for deepening their cooperations with Chinese partners.

Mr. Pascal Marmier, the director of swissnex China, proposes the ideas of engaging more stakeholders like industries and government agents in future partnership between Swiss UAS and China.