German consul praises Shanghai's Tongji University

Richard Cuntz, consul for science and education affairs at the Consulate General of Germany in Shanghai, visited Tonji University on March 18, praising the school and its Sino-German College (CDHK) for acting as a bridge to China.

Cuntz's words echoed the sentiments of an article titled "Bridge to China: Tongji University" issued in January's issue of Letter, the magazine of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), a joint organization of German universities, which founded CDHK with Tongji University in 1998.

The prestigious Tongji University in Shanghai is regarded as a "bridge-pillar university" in cooperation with China and that is illustrated by its broad range of collaborations, the article said.

According to the article, Tongji University's first partnership agreement with a German university was concluded with Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) in the summer of 1980. To date, it has carried out a variety of cooperation projects with 39 German higher education institutions.

"Tongji University has long been one of the pillars of German universities' cooperation with China when it comes to academic training and research," said Susanne Otte, head of the DAAD Section for Transnational Education Projects in Europe and Asia.

CDHK at Tongij University serves as an exemplary joint education institution for cultural exchanges between China and Germany. It now covers international education on mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, automotive engineering, as well as economics and industrial engineering, with support from German industries.

During the meeting with Cuntz, Vice President of Tongji University Lei Xinghui said that during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, CDHK will promote educational exchanges, as well as scientific research and innovation cooperation between China and Germany in a variety of fields, such as architecture and urban planning, environment, transportation, and medicine and life sciences.