The College of Civil Engineering (CCE) at Tongji University and the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on April 19th in Cambridge, establishing a mutual agreement for a partnership in civil engineering education and research.

From April 15th to 19th, Professor Zhao Xianzhong (赵宪忠), Vice President of Tongji University, led a delegation on a visit to partner universities in the UK. Associate Professor Zhou Mingliang (周鸣亮) participated in the visit on behalf of the CCE.

On April 19th, the delegation visited the University of Cambridge and engaged in discussions on collaboration with Professor Colm Durkan, Head of the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge. The meeting culminated in the signing of the first interdepartmental MOU on civil engineering between our college and the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge. This agreement will pave the way for diverse collaboration opportunities, including student exchanges and research partnerships. Professor Zhao Xianzhong witnessed the signing ceremony of the MOU.

Subsequently, the delegation visited the newly established Civil Engineering Building at the University of Cambridge. They conducted detailed discussions on talent development, innovation exchanges in civil engineering, and maximizing the potential of higher education. Consensus was reached on many issues during these conversations.

This visit, the first post-pandemic visit to the UK, marks a major milestone for our college. As both sides explored future directions for cooperation, the interdepartmental MOU with the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge lays a strong foundation for increased collaboration. In conjunction with the upcoming 110th anniversary celebrations of the CCE, the college is advancing reforms in civil engineering and moving steadily towards comprehensive internationalization in education, technology, and talent. This progress positions the college to elevate the discipline to a world-class level.