On the afternoon of January 15, 2025, Shanghai Zhongqiao Vocational and Technical University successfully held an online meeting with Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Finland. The meeting was attended by Vice President Liu Shuyun, Dean Zhu Xiaoli of the School of Civil Engineering, Vice Dean Ji Jing and Vice Dean Wang Yuan of the School of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, International Exchange Consultant Yang Yan from Zhongqiao University, as well as Vice President Simo Mustila, Dean Jari Olli of the Smart and Clean Technology Institute, Dean Jorma Sateri of the Real Estate and Construction Institute, Legal Affairs Director Sanna Saarnia, and Project Consultant Zhao Gang, Vice Chairman of the Board and Director of the International Education Center of Fanghuashida Group. The meeting was chaired by Vice President Liu Shuyun.
During the meeting, Vice President Liu Shuyun provided a detailed report on the progress of the joint educational program between the two universities. Subsequently, Professor Yang Yan, International Exchange Consultant, proposed constructive suggestions for the next steps. Vice President Simo Mustila highly commended the achievements of the project and expressed his sincere gratitude for Zhongqiao University's efforts. He emphasized that Metropolia will continue to fully support the advancement of the project and work towards completing the necessary approvals to officially launch operations as soon as possible.
The meeting, which lasted over an hour, focused on the theme of “Sustainable Development.” Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on curriculum design and technological practices in the fields of food sciences and civil engineering. Topics such as food safety, dietary culture and nutrition, urban renewal, and smart construction were highlighted. More than ten scholars from Zhongqiao's School of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences and School of Civil Engineering interacted enthusiastically with Finnish experts, sharing teaching and research experiences while addressing academic challenges and technical solutions. Participants agreed that the meeting not only broadened their professional horizons but also laid a solid foundation for future academic and research collaboration between China and Finland, marking a significant step forward.
The meeting was held in the context of achieving key milestones in the joint education program. On January 19, 2024, Zhongqiao University and Helsinki Metropolia University of Applied Sciences officially signed a joint education agreement, marking a new step in the internationalization of Zhongqiao University. Since then, both sides have worked actively, and the project has successfully passed the initial review by the Shanghai Municipal Government. It is now in the critical stage of final approval by the Ministry of Education. If progress goes smoothly, Zhongqiao University expects to establish the “Helsinki Future Engineering Institute” this year and enroll its first cohort of students. This will be the university's first Sino-foreign joint educational institution, with profound implications for its discipline development, internationalization, and social influence.
The successful hosting of this meeting not only reflects the shared commitment of China and Finland to international cooperation and sustainable development but also establishes a solid foundation for further collaboration in education and research. In the future, Shanghai Zhongqiao Vocational and Technical University will continue to uphold the principles of openness and inclusiveness, working hand in hand with Metropolia University of Applied Sciences to create a new chapter in international education.
(Contributed by Jianwei Wang, International Cooperation Office; Editor Chi Zhang)
