In March 2017, both universities, the University of Paderborn [UPB] and the Qingdao University of Science and Technology [QUST], signed a cooperation agreement to establish a Chinese-German campus [CDC]. The focus of this collaboration is the intensification of research activities in addition to teaching and student exchange. The newly built CDC is located at the Sino-German Ecopark in Qingdao. Since its founding in 2013, it has had the opportunity to promote Sino-German cooperation in the environmental field and solutions to reduce emissions. The Ökopark has now become a platform that serves to strengthen and expand cooperation in industry, trade, innovations, but also in sports and music. Therefore, innovative research facilities such as a Materials Science Institute are to be set up, in which joint research between the Qingdao University of Science and Technology and the University of Paderborn will take place.
First joint CDC meeting
On September 26th, the first joint meeting of the CDC took place in Qingdao. The QUST Executive Committee, headed by President Prof. Dr. Lianxiang Ma, Vice Party Secretary Prof. Dr. Qingling Li and other QUST participants received Prof. Birgitt Riegraf, President of the University of Paderborn, Prof. Torsten Meier, Vice President for International Relations, Mr Lothar Pelz, Permanent Representative of the Vice President for Economics and Human Resources, Prof. Wolfgang Bremser, CDC German Director, Prof. Hans-Joachim Warnecke, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Mr Junwei Zhong, Managing Director CDC and Dr. Tran-Thien Hoang Trang, CDC Coordination.
The focus of the talks is the establishment of a coordinated "Bachelor Materials Science" course. CDC Chinese students begin their studies in Qingdao; In addition to deepening scientific knowledge, the core content of phase I of the course of study is also the acquisition of German language skills in order to be well prepared for a follow-up course in phase II at the German CDC location in Paderborn. After that, the CDC students can be integrated into the course of the UPB. At the same time, the new bachelor's degree is attractive for German and international students. Another Master of Science degree in materials science and lightweight construction with hybrid systems opens the doors for graduates to future international careers in industry and academia. International companies and universities are very interested in the highly qualified graduates with additional experience abroad, especially in China, because in addition to the expertise they have acquired, they also develop soft skills that are extremely important for overcoming intercultural barriers. In the age of globalization, industry expects employees who can be deployed flexibly.
Another location, the German Campus of CDC, in Paderborn is being planned. In a ceremonial handover, a plaque with the inscription "Chinesisch-Deutscher Campus Deutschland" was presented to Prof. Birgitt Riegraf by Prof. Dr. Lianxiang Ma presented.
Inspection of the construction work of the CDC
Another item on the agenda was a visit to the CDC site. The first phase of construction work is scheduled to be completed in June 2019; approx. 3000 people can then already pursue their activities on the campus.
First joint meeting of the three parties QUST, UPB and Sino-German Ecopark Qingdao
The delegation from the University of Paderborn was then received at the headquarters of the Sino-German Ecopark by Mr. Zhao Shiyu, President of the Management Committee of the Ecopark, as well as Mr. Xu Haijie, Vice-President of the Management Committee, and Mr. Ling Song, Director of Legal Affairs and Educational Cooperation. In the joint meeting of the three parties, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Paderborn University and Sino-German Ecopark, the common interests that should be reflected in the CDC were announced. Prof. Birgitt Riegraf will join the advisory board of the Sino-German Ecopark in the future.
