On April 13, a series of “Swiss Tech Day” activities around the topic of sustainability were held at Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU). Swiss Tech Day is organized by the Consulate General of Switzerland in Guangzhou in collaboration with Swissnex, Swiss Innovation Centre Shenzhen, SZTU, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) and Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH), aiming to encourage exchanges between industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academics and scientists to advance technology innovation, and to foster a shared motivation of universities and enterprises for seeking solutions to worldwide concerns.
Some attendees of Swiss Tech Day at SZTU [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
The planet is facing an urgent environmental crisis with many complex challenges, which urges many experts in different fields around the world to come together, increasing awareness on environmental protection and looking for possible solutions. As part of Swiss Tech Day, a month-long exhibition named “Can Tech Save the World” opened from April 13 to May 12 at SZTU Library. It showcases how Swiss private and public sectors have come up with some feasible solutions to the challenges including climate change, ecosystem, degradation and pollution, aiming to call for joint efforts across the world to build a sustainable future.
Guests and audience of the Opening Ceremony of Swiss Tech Day and “Can Tech Save the World” Exhibition [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
The Opening Ceremony of Swiss Tech Day and “Can Tech Save the World” Exhibition was presided over by Ms. Zeng Siyu, director of the International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office of SZTU, and attended by Mr. Tiziano Pedrioli, acting consul general of Switzerland in Guangzhou; Dr. Philippe Roesle, CEO and consul of Swissnex in China; Mr. Klaus Zenkel, vice president of European Chamber of Commerce in China; and Prof. Ruan Shuangchen, president of SZTU.
Mr. Jürg Burri, Swiss ambassador to China, gives his welcome remarks via video at the opening ceremony. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
Mr. Burri stated the importance of this event and encouraged exchanges between the academics, innovators and companies from Switzerland and China on how to make life more sustainable through technology and creative ideas. He also thanked SZTU, the Consulate General of Switzerland in Guangzhou and Swissnex for co-organizing the event.
Mr. Tiziano Pedrioli, acting consul general of Switzerland in Guangzhou, addresses the ceremony. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
Mr. Pedrioli said that the Swiss government had set priorities for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. As the event aims to introduce innovative measures and solutions for environmental protection from Switzerland, he hoped visitors could learn about the innovative solutions from Switzerland in the fields of water source treatment, green transportation, waste management, carbon emissions and biodiversity through this exhibition, and that Sino-Swiss exchanges and cooperation in sustainable development will be enhanced.
Prof. Ruan Shuangchen, president of SZTU, gives a welcome speech. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
Prof. Ruan said that based on the innovative strategic partnership built between China and Switzerland in 2016, SZTU has been working closely with Swiss universities and enterprises to carry out academic exchanges and build platforms for innovation. In 2022, SZTU became the first batch of institutions approved to launch the project of setting up MOE-Swiss GF Intelligent Manufacturing Innovation Base. Taking Swiss Tech Day as an opportunity, SZTU is willing to join hands with more international universities, institutions and companies to promote technological innovation and find more innovative solutions for building a sustainable world.
Dr. Philippe Roesle, CEO and consul of Swissnex in China, delivers a speech. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
Dr. Roesle said that the great natural environment and harmonious urban planning of Switzerland are the outcomes of social consciousness, policy support and technological innovation. As Switzerland and China have been cooperating closely in the fields of innovation and sustainable development, he hoped that this exhibition will help further Sino-Swiss exchanges and cooperation.
Prof. Ruan presents his calligraphy work to Mr. Pedrioli as a gift. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
Prof. Ruan presents his calligraphy work to Dr. Roesle as a gift. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
SZTU students visit the exhibition and are impressed by the innovative solutions from Switzerland. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
“Sustainable by design: cases from China and Switzerland” Roundtable was another part of Swiss Tech Day at SZTU. Many experts and scholars from academia and industries in both China and Switzerland gathered at the roundtable to share unique interdisciplinary insights and industry practices from the two countries and discuss innovative solutions to the complex challenges facing the world today.
“Swiss Tech Day” Roundtable is held. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
Attendees of the roundtable [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
Mr. Tiziano Pedrioli (left) and Dr. Philippe Roesle (right) attend the roundtable. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
Prof. Michael Jeive from FHNW moderated the roundtable. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
Prof. Ruan Shuangchen gives a welcome speech. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
Prof. Ruan said that this roundtable is a great exchange platform for experts from universities and enterprises to learn from each other by sharing sustainable design cases, and expected the attendees to work closely to shape a sustainable future through design and technology.
Sustainable design has been an urgent topic since many environmental challenges received widespread attention. Many organizations and individuals worldwide are seeking holistic and innovative approaches to address environmental issues. At the roundtable, six guest speakers were invited to share their understanding and expectations of sustainable design.
Prof. Huo Yuda, dean of the College of Design and Innovation of SZTU, gives a presentation. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
Prof. Huo talked about new challenges to sustainable design brought by urban and technological development, and highlighted the impact of artificial intelligence on urban sustainability.
Dr. Priscilla Caliandro, managing co-director of BFH Energy Storage Research Center, attends the roundtable online and gives a presentation. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
Dr. Caliandro analyzed the demand and challenges of lithium-ion batteries and introduced the Swiss CircuBAT Project which aims at the circular economy and sustainability of lithium-ion batteries.
Prof. Franz Raps, dean of the College of Urban Transportation and Logistics of SZTU, makes a speech. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
Prof. Raps introduced the talent training philosophy and features of the College of Urban Transportation and Logistics, discussed the relationship between sustainable design, transportation and logistics, and shared his view on the development of transportation and logistics.
Prof. Hu Jingxuan, deputy dean of the College of Design and Innovation of SZTU, attends the roundtable online and gives a presentation. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
Prof. Hu introduced her works and design concept. By using intense colors, her artworks aim to awaken people’s awareness of environmental issues.
Mr. Nikola Sretovic, founder and head of design of the New Norm Studio, gives a talk. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
Mr. Sretovic discussed how to design products with fewer resources in the manufacturing process, how to design long-lasting products, and how to reduce transportation. He stated that the design value of future products lies in overall recyclability instead of partial disassembly.
Mr. Deng Bo, general manager of EF Electrical (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd, shares his ideas on sustainable design. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
Mr. Deng compared the manufacturing process and infrastructure design of new factories with old ones, and discussed the pursuit of perfect design in manufacturing and its importance to factory planning and production.
To learn about more innovative solutions to sustainable development, welcome to visit the “Can Tech Save the World” exhibition at SZTU.
Drafted by Olivia（赖丽伟）, Brian（郑斌）/ International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office
Revised by International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office
Edited by International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office
