From November 24 to December 1, 2024, Xiao Gang, Deputy Party Secretary of China Jiliang University, led a delegation to visit Dresden University of Applied Sciences, Leibniz University Hannover, Technische Universität Ilmenau in Germany, and the University of Finance and Administration in Prague, Czech Republic. The delegation discussed topics including joint educational programs, student joint training, faculty exchanges, research collaboration, and the development of Confucius Institutes. The visit expanded opportunities for international research collaboration among faculty and for students pursuing further studies abroad. Inter-university cooperation agreements were signed during the visit, and the China Jiliang University Alumni Association in Germany was officially established.
On November 24, the delegation met with alumni Wu Zhensi (Class of 2015, Mechanical Automation, currently employed at Deutsche Bahn), Chen Qiao (Class of 2015, Mechanical Automation, currently pursuing a PhD at the Technical University of Berlin), Zhang Kunyuan (Class of 2013, Measurement and Control, currently employed at Volkswagen Group), and Zhou Jinyu (Class of 2013, Measurement and Instrumentation, currently employed at a German green hydrogen company in the construction sector). The delegation gained an in-depth understanding of the alumni’s academic and professional experiences in Germany and shared the university’s recent achievements in cultivating high-level talent, building top-tier disciplines, enhancing faculty teams, advancing scientific research, improving social services, expanding international cooperation, and strengthening alumni engagement. The alumni fondly recalled their time at CJLU, expressing heartfelt gratitude and best wishes for their alma mater.
On the same day, the China Jiliang University German Alumni Association was officially established. Alumni representatives working in Berlin attended the ceremony in person, while other alumni based in Germany joined online. Feng Shilin, President of the Alumni Association, sent a heartfelt congratulatory message: "Following the celebration of the university's 46th anniversary, we warmly congratulate the establishment of the China Jiliang University German Alumni Association. Our university now has another overseas alumni chapter. To our German alumni, who are working and studying tirelessly abroad, we applaud your efforts! Please take the time to visit your alma mater when you can. The university will always be your strong support and warm home. Let us all work together to uphold traditions, embrace innovation, and create an even brighter future for China Jiliang University." The alumni expressed that the establishment of the association deepened their sense of connection with the university and enhanced their ability to unite the strength of the "Jiliang community". Vice Secretary Xiao Gang congratulated the alumni in Germany on their remarkable achievements and encouraged them to continue embodying the spirit of China Jiliang University's ethos and motto, contributing to human civilization and scientific advancement.
On the morning of November 25, the delegation visited the Berlin Language Institute under Dresden University of Applied Sciences to advance the implementation of the cooperation agreement signed by the two universities last November and to conduct on-site discussions regarding the establishment of a German Language Education Center at China Jiliang University. The delegation was warmly received by Volker Leipnitz, Chairman of the Research Institute at Dresden University of Applied Sciences; Weny Fu, Director of the International Office; and Atilla Ozturk, Head of the Berlin Language Institute. Atilla Ozturk provided an overview of the institute, which offers various language examination services, including TestDaF (Test of German as a Foreign Language) and TELC (The European Language Certificates). The institute hosts approximately 1,500 foreign students daily for German language studies. Volker Leipnitz reviewed the specifics and achievements of the cooperation between the two institutions over the past two years. He also elaborated on the plan to establish the first globally recognized TELC language examination center in China, combining online and offline approaches to offer more international learning and development opportunities for examinees. The two sides exchanged ideas on preparations for the German Language Education Center and conducted in-depth discussions on expanding collaboration in additional areas.
On the afternoon of November 25, the delegation visited the pilot training base under the Research Institute of Dresden University of Applied Sciences—AEROTOURS Flight School. Located near Strausberg Airport, the school boasts comprehensive facilities and abundant educational resources. The delegation was warmly received by Mr. Robert Hanke, CEO of AEROTOURS, who introduced the school’s operations. AEROTOURS is one of Germany's largest and most advanced pilot training institutions. It is equipped with a fleet of aircraft for hands-on practice, specialized classrooms for theoretical instruction, and state-of-the-art flight simulators. Professor Volker Leipnitz presented a unique educational model that integrates business management knowledge with airline transport pilot certification, enabling graduates to obtain widely recognized international diplomas and enjoy broad career development opportunities. Both sides explored the potential for future collaboration in this field under the context of the low-altitude economy, discussing possible pathways for implementation.
On the afternoon of November 26, the delegation visited Leibniz University Hannover. Founded in 1831, the university was formerly known as the "Royal Prussian Polytechnic School" and is one of Germany’s oldest industrial universities. It is now a member of TU9, the alliance of Germany's nine leading technical universities. Professor Regina Nogueira, Vice President of Leibniz University Hannover, warmly received the delegation and hosted a discussion session. Both sides introduced their respective universities’ histories and academic strengths, focusing on the feasibility of collaborative programs in photonics and related disciplines. They engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as education, research collaboration, summer programs, and faculty and student exchanges. The two universities reached a consensus on future directions and objectives for further cooperation. The meeting was also attended by Yin Wang and Jessica Wille, coordinators of the university’s Asia programs within the International Office.
Following the meeting, the delegation visited the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Leibniz University Hannover and held in-depth discussions with Professor Fei Ding, Director of the Institute of Solid-State Physics. Professor Fei Ding, the youngest full professor (W3 tenure professor) at Leibniz University Hannover, focuses on research in semiconductor materials, optical devices, and their applications in building quantum networks. He has received prestigious honors such as the ERC Grant, one of Europe’s highest research awards, and is a Marie Curie Fellow of the European Union. He also serves as an editorial board member for Light: Science and Applications, a journal under Nature Publishing Group. Vice President Xiao Gang provided a detailed introduction to the development of the optical engineering discipline at China Jiliang University, expressing hopes for deep collaboration between Professor Fei Ding’s team and the university’s doctoral program in optical engineering. Both sides shared insights on academic discipline development and graduate training, conducting thorough discussions on potential future cooperation directions and research fields. They reached a strong consensus on joint training of master’s and doctoral students, as well as the development of young faculty members. The delegation also toured the key laboratories of the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics.
On the afternoon of November 27, the delegation visited the Technische Universität Ilmenau (TU Ilmenau). Founded in 1894, TU Ilmenau is one of Germany's most renowned technical universities, supported by its four primary disciplines: engineering, natural sciences, economics, and media. Its traditional strengths lie in mechanical manufacturing and precision instrument measurement, which align closely with the specialized disciplines of China Jiliang University. Diana Moehrke-Rasul, Deputy Director of the International Office, and Silke Stauche, Head of the Master’s Programs at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, welcomed the delegation and engaged in discussions. Both parties introduced their respective institutions and highlighted their academic strengths. TU Ilmenau currently has over 4,100 students, nearly 2,000 of whom are international students, including over 200 Chinese students. The two sides held extensive discussions and exchanges on joint student training programs and faculty and student exchange initiatives. Following the meeting, the delegation, accompanied by Silke Stauche and others, toured the research laboratories and engineering training center of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Professors Thomas Kissinger and Thomas Frohlich introduced the delegation to the key facilities and research achievements of the Nanomanufacturing and Nanometrology Laboratory. The university’s nano-coordinate measuring machine, developed in-house, uses laser interferometry to measure linear deviation and employs a sophisticated control system to maintain positional accuracy. This technology has reached internationally advanced levels and is widely applied in the calibration of micro- and nano-measurement technologies.
On the morning of November 28, a meeting was held between the delegation and leaders of Technische Universität Ilmenau (TU Ilmenau), including Professor Kai-Uwe Sattler, President of TU Ilmenau; Professor Thomas Sattel, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering; and Professor Thomas Frohlich, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Both sides shared updates on their latest developments and achievements, reviewed the existing research collaborations and personnel exchanges between faculty members of the two universities, and engaged in in-depth discussions on joint doctoral training programs in metrology and testing, as well as the mutual appointment of doctoral supervisors. The two sides reached a broad consensus on further expanding master’s and doctoral programs, promoting faculty exchanges, and enhancing research collaboration. Professor Kai-Uwe Sattler, President of TU Ilmenau, and Professor Xiao Gang, Vice President of China Jiliang University, signed a memorandum of understanding on behalf of their respective universities.
Later, the delegation visited the Institute of Process Measurement and Sensor Technology and the Key Laboratory of Micro and Nano Technologies. They held in-depth discussions regarding the appointment of Professor Thomas Frohlich as a part-time doctoral supervisor at China Jiliang University and the joint training of doctoral students, reaching a consensus on these matters.
Professor Thomas Frohlich is an internationally renowned expert in precision instrument measurement who independently developed a world-leading mass comparator. He has visited China Jiliang University multiple times, engaged in research collaboration with related professors, and co-published academic research findings.
On the morning of November 29, the delegation visited the Confucius Institute at the University of Finance and Administration in Prague, which was jointly established by our university, and held a symposium. Under the witness of then-Czech President Miloš Zeman, the former Deputy Director-General of the Confucius Institute Headquarters, Ma Jianfei, and the presidents of both universities officially signed the agreement for the joint establishment of the Confucius Institute on November 6, 2018, in Shanghai. On November 21, 2018, the Confucius Institute was inaugurated by Sun Chunlan, then Vice Premier of the State Council, Chen Baosheng, then Minister of Education, and Martin Doleček, then Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education of the Czech Republic. In May 2019, Che Jun, then Secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee, visited the Confucius Institute and unveiled the China Jiliang University Central and Eastern European Studies Institute and the Zhejiang-Czech Humanities Exchange Center.
At the symposium, Lou Xizhong, the Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute, warmly welcomed the delegation. Petra Marsalkova, the foreign Director, introduced the operation and development of the Confucius Institute at the University of Finance and Administration in Prague in recent years. She shared details about the courses offered, cultural activities, seminars, themed events, and the Confucius Institute’s journal, expressing her expectations and confidence for future cooperation. In 2023, the Confucius Institute had over 300 students learning Chinese. As the only HSK (Chinese proficiency test) exam center in the Czech Republic, it attracted many students from both the Czech Republic and neighboring countries, promoting educational, cultural, and other exchanges and cooperation between China and the Czech Republic, and making a positive contribution to enhancing mutual understanding between the two peoples.
Vice President Xiao Gang encouraged the Chinese Director and teachers of the Confucius Institute to continue their efforts in promoting the rich and enduring Chinese culture and showcasing the unique strengths of the university. He emphasized the importance of telling China's stories well, fostering friendship between the peoples of the two nations, and enhancing the reputation of both the Confucius Institute and the university. At the conclusion of the symposium, Professor Ni Xuqian, a renowned calligrapher and painter and a member of the delegation, created an on-site calligraphy piece titled Harmony. Centered on Confucian principles of "benevolence" and the value of "harmony," the work blended the elegance and aesthetic appeal of traditional calligraphy with the philosophical essence of harmony and inclusiveness. The piece was met with widespread acclaim from those present. Following the symposium, the delegation visited the Confucius Institute’s library, teacher offices, classrooms, and student dormitories, and met with the teachers and students of the institute.
On the afternoon of November 29, the delegation visited the University of Finance and Administration in Prague. Established in 1999, it is one of the first business schools in the Czech Republic and obtained university accreditation and the right to award doctoral degrees in finance in 2009. The university currently has 3,000 enrolled students. During the meeting, Professor Petr Budinsky, Vice President of the University of Finance and Administration, warmly welcomed the delegation and expressed his satisfaction with the close collaboration between the two universities. He highly praised the achievements of the Chinese Director and the two Chinese language teachers at the Confucius Institute. Both parties engaged in in-depth discussions regarding the operation and management of the Confucius Institute and its future development. Detailed exchanges were held on teacher dispatch and volunteer selection. They reached a broad consensus on measures to enhance joint summer camps and collaborative programs in related disciplines, as well as on establishing a mechanism for research collaboration and academic exchange. Both sides agreed that in the face of the current complex and volatile international situation, non-governmental educational and cultural institutions should strengthen exchanges and cooperation to foster harmonious relations between the two nations. The meeting was also attended by Lucie Finova, Director of the International Office, and Petra Marsalkova, Foreign Director of the Confucius Institute.
Professor Ni Xuqian, a member of the delegation, created an artwork on-site titled The Vltava River, inspired by the mother river of the Czech nation. The piece not only showcased the unique charm of Chinese calligraphy but also symbolized the cultural exchange and integration between China and the Czech Republic.
On the morning of November 30, the delegation held a meeting to summarize the outcomes of their visit, outlining the next steps and proposed collaborative projects. During the visit, the delegation met with alumni in Germany and established the CJLU German Alumni Association. They reached agreements with Dresden University of Applied Sciences on establishing a German Language Education Center and conducting tailored pilot training programs. Discussions with Hannover University focused on student exchanges, faculty research collaboration, and potential Sino-foreign joint education programs in fields such as optoelectronics. A memorandum of cooperation was signed with the Ilmenau University of Technology, covering areas such as research collaboration, joint student training, and young faculty development. Additionally, in-depth discussions were held with the University of Finance and Administration in Prague on enhancing inter-university cooperation and the future development of the Confucius Institute, resulting in broad consensus.
This visit successfully accomplished all predetermined tasks and achieved the expected objectives. It has played a positive role in further advancing international exchanges and cooperation between our university and universities in Germany and the Czech Republic, while promoting the development of key disciplines such as Instrument Science and Technology and Optical Engineering, as well as high-level talent cultivation. Moreover, it has significantly enhanced the university's reputation and visibility.
