SJTU-UM  "Joint Energy Research Workshop", which has effectively leverage the expertise in energy research from both Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and the University of Michigan (UM), was held on the campus of SJTU from March 23 through 25, 2009. The objectives of the workshop are to: (1) establish a mutual understanding of the current research activities in both universities, (2) identify common research interests, (3) develop a collaborative research roadmap, and (4) lay a foundation for joint research programs. 

As the first outcome of the joint research workshop, a joint research roadmap was developed during the workshop. Second outcome of the workshop is to identify some candidate Chinese graduate students who will be jointly supervised by faculty advisors from both SJTU and UM. These jointly supervised students will be sent to UM to conduct joint research for a period of up to two years under the scholarship from China Scholarship Council and SJTU. 

The ultimate goal is to establish a multilateral joint research center with research sites at both universities and possibly other future partners. This joint research center will be financially supported by bilateral government agencies and industries. As a reference model, Tsinghua University of China has recently established one such joint research center in partnership with MIT and Cambridge University, focusing on low-carbon energy science and technology. This joint research center has three sites.
 
The representatives from University of Michigan are: Prof. Gary Was, Prof. Ian A. Hiskens, Prof. Rachel Goldman, Prof. Dennis Assanis , Prof. Harry Giles and Prof. Jun Ni.
 
On the SJTU side, Vice President Zhongqin LIN participated in the workshop. Prof. Zhen HUANG, Prof. Zi-Feng MA and other 14 professors from Energy Research Institute in SJTU was attended the workshop.