Aiming to establish strategic research collaborations and promote open innovation networks with the world leading universities, Siemens introduced the concept of Center of Knowledge Interchange (CKI) in 1999.

The individual CKI partnership is based on the core values and working concepts of the sponsored university. It is Siemens' most comprehensive type of collaborations with universities. A local CKI office will be set-up in the sponsored university to act as an interface between the industrial and academic worlds. The systematic transfer of knowledge is managed by the local CKI office, whose main responsibility is to align Siemens’s industrial perspectives and needs with the academic and research resources of the university, and thus to create as many opportunities for research collaborations and talent exchanges as possible.

As a comprehensive and research-oriented university, Tsinghua has extensive expertise in technology, management and innovation. It has always been committed to working with the world class institutes and enterprises to conduct the cutting edge research. Siemens, as one of the world's largest electrical and electronics companies, and one of the most recognized corporate citizens in China, holds leading positions in the company's three key sectors: Industry, Energy and Healthcare.

On April 15th, 2008, Siemens and Tsinghua signed the CKI Agreement, which is a milestone for the research collaboration between the two organizations. CKI Tsinghua Office, with a goal of promoting more effective exchange and collaboration in technology development and talent cultivation, was set-up on the same day.

CKI Tsinghua has been functioned as a single point of contact for Tsinghua faculties and Siemens business units worldwide. Through joint activities such as conferences, workshops and hands-on discussions, CKI Tsinghua Office plays a key role in enhancing the interconnections between Tsinghua's academic and Siemens' industrial experts, and creates more opportunities for research collaborations.

For more information about Siemens CKI, pleaseclick here.