Discussion panel passes plans for establishment of the Tsinghua-RWTH High-End Equipment Innovative Design and Manufacturing Joint International Research Laboratory.
A discussion meeting of the Tsinghua-RWTH High-End Equipment Innovative Design and Manufacturing Joint International Research Laboratory Program was held on November 6 in the Jia Suo building at Tsinghua University. The discussion panel all agreed on the passing of the program for establishment of the joint laboratory. Academician Jiang Zhuangde from Xi’an Jiaotong University led the panel of experts. Leaders, experts and representatives of the cooperation parties attended the meeting, including President of Tsinghua University Qiu Yong, and Vice President Xue Qishen, as well as the representative from Department of Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Director of Industry of Science and Technology in Colleges and Universities of Science and Technology Development Center of Ministry of Education, Jia Yiwei, the Deputy of China Affairs on the Commission of University Affairs of RWTH Aachen University, Reinhart Poprawe, and the Director of Research and Technology Center of Siemens China, Peter Mertens.
President Qiu Yong delivered a speech in the discussion meeting.
President Qiu Yong pointed out in his speech that it was necessary to conduct high-level international cooperation for the development of first-class universities in the world. In this regard he commented that the establishment of the High-end Equipment Innovative Design and Manufacturing Joint International Laboratory will contribute significantly to the cooperation between Tsinghua University and RWTH Aachen University, and moreover will accelerate the development of engineering in Tsinghua University and further improve the international administration standards and innovation capacity of the school. He added that the joint international laboratory had strong support from both academic and industrial circles, including RWTH Aachen University, Siemens AG, and Volkswagen, to name only a few. In promoting the establishment of the joint international research laboratory Tsinghua University has integrated support from the Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Energy, and Industrial Engineering, as well as the School of Information. President Qiu stressed that the university would also support the work of the joint laboratory with regard to such areas as institutional and systemic reforms, financing and funding, and the foundation of research and collaboration platforms.
Laboratory Director and Academician Luo Jianbing made a report to the panel.
Laboratory Director of the Chinese party and Academician, Luo Jianbing, delivered a report setting out the goals and significance of establishing the joint laboratory, together with the plans for its implementation, operation, management, and research achievements as well as the development plan for the next three years. Through the joint laboratory Tsinghua University and RWTH Aachen University agreed to make joint efforts to strengthen cooperation in mechanical design and manufacturing, in support of strategic goals of both Germany and China. These efforts will be mainly aimed at promoting the development of the whole manufacturing industry in China, Asia and Europe. Director Luo commented also that the joint laboratory will form a three-dimensional development model of basic research, technology transfer and internationalization, and will support research cooperation in a range of fields, including advanced design theory and methods, cutting-edge manufacturing technology and equipment, micro-nano manufacturing and micro-nano systems, and mechanical surface/interface quality management. The long-term goal is to establish a world-class center for high-end equipment manufacturing research, industrial systems, international talent exchange, and academic and research management, as well as to act as an example for international inter-university cooperation.
The Joint Director from Aachen University, Reinhart Poprawe, delivered a speech.
The Administration Committee and Committee of Experts for the joint laboratory were both established during the meeting, and Reinhart Poprawe, Deputy of China Affairs in the Commission of University Affairs of RWTH Aachen University, was appointed as the joint director of the German party. In his speech, Professor Poprawe pointed out that the complex global challenges in climate, health, and energy made it necessary to conduct strategic cooperation. The cooperation between Tsinghua University and Aachen University was set up both to make joint efforts in the training of innovative talent and to gain technological achievements capable of industrial application and social impact. He made a special introduction to the China Strategy 2015-2020 report recently released by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and noted that the strategic cooperation fully represented and reflected the purposes and principles contained within the China Strategy report. The Director of the Research and Technology Center of Siemens China, Peter Mertens, also expressed support for the joint laboratory on behalf of industry, as well outlining his expectations for its achievements.
Five main topics were covered in the discussion meeting, including reports, site inspection, questions and defense, voting appraisal and comprehensive appraisal. The panel listened carefully to the reports of the Chinese and German directors of the joint laboratories, and after inspecting the site and reviewing the atmosphere, operation and staff attendance of the joint laboratory, they raised inquiries and suggestions in terms of employment and cooperation mechanisms of international researchers, pinpointing research fields, interdisciplinary organization and other aspects.
Head of the Panel Jiang Zhuangde delivered a speech in the meeting.
The panel agreed that the joint laboratory followed closely “the high-end equipment innovative design and manufacturing” international disciplinary frontier and catered for national major demands. During the past 2-year preparatory phase, the partners have undertaken many major national scientific research tasks and international cooperative research projects, obtaining many original achievements in scientific research and breakthroughs in applications. These achievements have been widely recognized by peer experts at home and abroad. As a result of these efforts the partners have already gathered a group of researchers and academics of high international standard, trained a number of excellent young and middle-aged innovative talents, and established smooth operation and management mechanisms for the collaboration. The panel commented that the plan for the laboratory over the next three years was reasonable, forward-looking, innovative, plausible and it drew from the complementary strengths of both China and other countries. Based on this all agreed on the passing of the planned development activities.
Towards the end of the meeting, Que Qishen gave credit to the work of the panel headed by Academician Jiang Zhuangde and expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Education for its long-term support. He pointed out that engineering was a trademark discipline of Tsinghua University and how to develop traditional disciplines and integrate these with information disciplines will be important projects on the university development agenda in the future. The joint laboratory should draw supplementary strength from international cooperation and explore the leading frontiers of science and technology. He expressed also his hope that that the joint laboratory could also lead to breakthroughs in the joint running of educational programs, in solving key international technological issues, and in the enhancement of scientific culture and other related aspects.
[update: 2016-01]
