On April 7, the delegation of Insight China project consisting of 3 tutors and 26 undergraduates from University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW) visited Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU). Prof. Ruan Shuangchen, president of SZTU, met with the tutors Prof. Michael Jeive and Ms. Yingbo Seiler. Organized by the International Cooperation and Student Affairs Office of SZTU, the Insight China cultural exchange activity between over 50 SZTU students and the FHNW delegation took place.
A group photo of students and teachers from SZTU and FHNW taken at SZTU’s landmark “1034” [Photo/International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office]
(Left to right) Ms. Zeng Siyu, director of International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office, Prof. Michael Jeive, Prof. Ruan Shuangchen, Ms. Yingbo Seiler [Photo/International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office]
Insight China was launched at FHNW in 2001 and offers ambitious students the opportunity to gain insights into China’s cultural and economic diversity. On October 26, 2017, SZTU and FHNW signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to construct a cooperative partnership in an all-round way. Since then, the two universities have been carrying out in-depth cooperation in information sharing, mutual visits, joint teaching programs and scientific research.
Insight China cultural exchange activities in 2018 and 2019. [Photo/International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office]
Over 20 FHNW students and teachers visited SZTU for the Insight China cultural exchange activity in April 2018 and April 2019 respectively, and then the mutual exchanges went online due to COVID-19. With the adjustment of epidemic prevention and control policies, SZTU has gradually resumed offline exchanges and cooperation with its international partners including FHNW. This year, the face-to-face cultural exchange activity between SZTU and FHNW finally resumed, which greatly impressed the students and teachers from both universities.
Prof. Michael Jeive from FHNW is interviewed by student reporters of SZTU. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
Prof. Michael Jeive has visited China for over 30 times. He said it’s glad to visit Shenzhen and SZTU again and see great changes taking place here. He recalled the visit to SZTU for the first time in 2017 and was surprised by the rapid development of SZTU’s campus facilities and the growing number of students.
The FHNW delegation visits BYD. [Photo provided by FHNW]
Before the FHNW delegation came to SZTU, they visited BYD company and learned about its philosophy, development path, business layout and achievements in technological innovation.
Students of SZTU and FHNW have lunch and chat with each other. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
After arriving at SZTU, the delegation enjoyed lunch at Lakeview Canteen which offers a variety of choices of Chinese cuisine. The lunch was followed by a distinctive campus tour, during which SZTUers led the delegation to visit College of Big Data and Internet, Quality and Standards Academy, and College of Urban Transportation and Logistics.
The students and teachers from FHNW and SZTU watch special shows at the College of Big Data and Internet. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
At the first stop, the College of Big Data and Internet prepared the eye-catching drone show and robotic dog show, which were operated by SZTU students. The interesting dance and flexible movements of robotic dogs amazed the delegation, and some Swiss students experienced operating the robotic dogs by themselves.
The students and teachers visit workshops of the Quality and Standards Academy and try the products. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
Next, the delegation visited five workshops at the Quality and Standards Academy, in which SZTU students were engaged in making standardized products, and learned about the process and craft of making agarwood, soaps, chocolates, T-shirts and tea. They also tasted the chocolates and ice creams produced by SZTU workshops. The special experience gave Swiss friends an insight into Chinese culture and the standardization of SZTU.
The students and teachers visit labs and training bases of the College of Urban Transportation and Logistics. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
At the third stop, Prof. Franz Raps, dean of the College of Urban Transportation and Logistics, gave a brief introduction to the college and showed the delegation around its laboratories and training bases, including SZTU Racing Car Studio, Supermarket Training Base, Practical Training Base of SF Express Intelligent Logistics, and Rail Transit Operation and Control Coordination Innovative Lab. Through the visit, the Swiss students witnessed SZTU’s strength in the fields of transportation and logistics and its successful cases of industry-university-research cooperation.
Welcome ceremony for FHNW Insight China delegation [Photo/International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office]
SZTUers also prepared a welcome ceremony for FHNW Insight China delegation, in which the delegation gave a brief introduction to FHNW’s academic programs, campus environment, student recruitment, partners and international student projects such as Insight China. On behalf of the delegation, Prof. Michael Jeive, Dr. Dominik Wörner and Ms. Yingbo Seiler received gifts from SZTU.
Insight China Cultural Salon at the Artisan’s Café. [Photo/Party Affairs Committee Publicity Office]
The visit ended with a cultural salon, where the participants from both universities took a break at the Artisan’s Café, sharing their experiences and discussing cultural differences between the two sides.
It was a memorable and fruitful day for both sides. Dear Swiss friends, see you next time!
Drafted by Olivia（赖丽伟）/ International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office
Revised by International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office
Edited by International Cooperation & Student Affairs Office
