On September 22, a teacher-student group comprising 57 participants from three prominent German universities—Technische Universität Braunschweig (TUBS), Technische Hochschule Lübeck (THL), and Hochschule München (HM)—visited the College of Civil Engineering (CCE) at Tongji University. This visit was part of their broader study trip aimed at exploring the academic landscape and architectural industry in China.

The delegation was warmly welcomed by Prof. LIU Fang, Vice Dean of the CCE, and Dr. Jan Harder, Vice Dean of the Chinesisch-Deutsches Hochschulkolleg (CDHK) at Tongji University. They emphasized the significance of exchange between Chinese and German universities and expressed hope for collaboration to advance academic research and technological innovation.

                                           Prof. LIU Fang                                                                                                                                                Dr. Jan Harder                                                                                                                                                                                      

The event facilitated engaging discussions between Chinese and German teachers and students on cutting-edge civil engineering research and advanced educational practices. During the meeting, Prof. Klaus Thiele introduced the context of the visiting German delegation and delivered an academic presentation on “Aeroelastic instability of steel/composite bridges in the launching phase”. Prof. Jan Lüking fromTHL focused on the “Behavior of pile groups under tension loads” in his report. Prof. Jörg Jungwirth from HM shared the latest research developments in 3D-printed concrete. Additionally, Dr. Julian Unglaub from TUBS presented a report on “Steel structures, revisited: digital twins and retrofitting for sustainability”. The CCE’s faculty members, including Assoc. Prof. XU Chen, LI Weichao, and YU Kequan, delivered thematic reports on “Performance based multi-objective optimization of steel-UHPC composite bridge deck”, “Interaction between soil and monopile used by offshore wind turbine”, and “3D-printed ECC: material design and structural element performance”.

 

Prof. Klaus Thiele  

Prof. Jan Lüking

Prof. Jörg Jungwirth

Dr. Julian Unglaub

Assoc. Prof. XU Chen

Assoc. Prof. LI Weichao

Assoc. Prof. YU Kequan

The delegation also toured the CCE’s STEM Center, an innovative teaching and practice base integrating AI into civil engineering education. Student representatives from the CCE showcased experimental equipment and creative projects, such as a concrete dragon boat, a real-time intelligent portrait processing system, robotic arms, and construction robots. This exchange underscored CCE’s commitment to integrating AI into civil engineering education, sparking engaging discussions between the two groups.

Following this, the delegation visited Tongji University’s Jiading Campus, where they toured the Earthquake Engineering Hall and the Multifunctional Prevention and Control Hall, with a focus on the Multifunctional Shaking Tables Lab. Guided by Prof. JIA Liangjiu, they explored testing facilities and engaged in detailed discussions about the equipment.

The delegation was impressed by the state-of-the-art equipment and cutting-edge testing methods of Tongji University and looked forward to deeper collaboration and exchanges in the evolving field of civil engineering. Moreover, led by Dean LIU Fang, our faculty engaged in discussions with the German professors regarding potential pathways for strengthening practical cooperation in areas such as student exchanges and scientific research, resulting in some consensuses.

With a long-standing tradition of international education, Tongji University has maintained strong ties and a solid foundation of collaboration with German institutions. The CCE implements its strategic initiatives to enhance Sino-German cooperation, focusing on high-level academic exchange in civil engineering. The college is committed to cultivating multi-faceted partnerships that enhance the international influence and competitiveness of its disciplines, thereby fostering global research and innovation.

For more photos from the event, please scan the QR code below.