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.