On Monday, April 16, 2018, the School of Mechanical Engineering of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) hosted an event for the 10th Anniversary of SJTU-Purdue Intensive Collaborations at Minhang Campus. Officials and professors from SJTU and a delegation from Purdue University, led by Vice President Daniel Hirleman, attended this special event.

 

Xuemin Xu, Vice President of SJTU, took part in this event and expressed her welcome to the Purdue delegation for this 10th anniversary event. She expected to deepen this cooperation and make new contribution to the China-U.S higher education cooperation.

Daniel Hirleman reviewed the cooperation between the two universities in student education and scientific research in the past 15 years, and hoped this global engineering educational model more fruitful in the next decade.

Xuemin Xu and Daniel Hirleman signed the “Agreement on Student Exchange Program” and launched the new partnership between the two universities, which will offer undergraduates from both sides opportunities to study overseas.

In the SJTU-Purdue Bilateral Academic Forum, professors from Mechanical Engineering of the two universities spoke about their endeavors in respective research areas. Prof. Anil Bajaj, Dean of Purdue Mechanical Engineering, introduced the research progress in dynamical systems at Purdue Mechanical Engineering. Prof. Xianfan Xu from Purdue delivered a speech on nanoscale thermoelectric materials. Prof. Xingcai Lu and Prof. Kai Xu from SJTU talked about their work on fuel/engine interaction and continuum tail-like robot for pick-and-place tasks, respectively.

 

 

 

 After the forum, Deans of Mechanical Engineering of the two universities, Prof. Zhaohui Du and Prof. Anil Bajaj renewed the “Agreement on 3+1+1/GEARE and 2+2/LEAP Programs”. These programs provide opportunities for SJTU ME students studying at Purdue, where they will join the Dual BSME Program (2+2) or Combined BSME/MSME Program (3+1+1). These programs also give Purdue students opportunities studying at SJTU in the spring semester or in a short-term exchange program.

“The two institutions excelled in the education of engineering and practical skills, and have cultivated many excellent talents from the joint academic programs for the two countries,” said Zhaohui Du. “We will strengthen the cooperation on global engineering education and research by launching this new partnership program.”

Since 2003, there have been over 1000 students joined in SJTU-Purdue programs, including total 210 participants from SJTU and 342 participants from Purdue for semester exchange and degree programs. Now the two institutions are ready to embark on the second decade with a more solid foundation, a clearer vision and a higher cohesion.