President MA Yanming meets with delegation from RWTH Aachen University

On the morning of April 2, MA Yanming, President of Zhejiang University, welcomed Ulrich Rüdiger, Rector of RWTH Aachen University, and his delegation to Zijingang Campus for a series of discussions aimed at deepening collaboration.

In his remarks, President Ma spoke warmly of RWTH Aachen University as one of Zhejiang University’s longest-standing German partners in engineering, noting the broad and multi-layered partnership that had evolved over the years. Their combined efforts, he pointed out, have yielded remarkable results. Both universities are committed to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, working side by side to advance global sustainability. This meeting, President Ma said, marks a new milestone in their nearly four-decade partnership. He expressed his hope that the two universities would deepen their exchanges and broaden their cooperation, especially in areas of mutual strength, such as sustainable development, interdisciplinary research, and innovation, thus ushering in a new chapter in their shared journey.

Rector Rüdiger, in turn, expressed his heartfelt gratitude for Zhejiang University’s warm reception. He praised the strong academic and innovative synergies between the two universities, emphasizing the untapped potential for future collaboration. He reaffirmed RWTH Aachen University’s deep commitment to its partnership with China and expressed a shared vision for the next forty years, one in which faculty and student exchanges, joint training programs, and collaborative research would flourish. By pooling their strengths in engineering, information science, and beyond, he believed, both universities could play an even more prominent role in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges. 

During the meeting, President Ma and Rector Rüdiger renewed the university-level Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Additionally, ZHOU Jianghong, Vice President of Zhejiang University, and Rector Rüdiger signed a new university-level Student Exchange Agreement. On behalf of RWTH Aachen University, Rector Rüdiger also signed to join the Joint Statement of Global University Leaders on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — a landmark initiative led by Zhejiang University that now unites nearly 70 universities from 32 countries and regions in a shared vision for a sustainable future.  

During the discussions, Prof. YANG Huayong, Dean of Zhejiang University’s Faculty of Engineering, reflected on the deep historical ties in the field of mechanical engineering between the two universities and outlined future plans for deeper collaboration. He also presented Rector Rüdiger with a certificate of appreciation for his contribution to the Global Lecture Series. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Office of Global Engagement and the School of Mechanical Engineering. 

That morning, Rector Rüdiger delivered a captivating lecture titled Global Responsibility & Sustainable Solutions as part of the Global Lecture Series. The lecture, which drew more than 120 faculty members and students, was one of the events of Zhejiang University’s Fifth Sino-German Sustainable Development Forum.

During the visit, the two universities also held a series of academic workshops covering diverse topics such as civil engineering, pharmacy, and neuroscience. At the closing session, ZHOU Jianghong and Ute Habel, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at RWTH Aachen University, agreed to ramp up resource investment, celebrate the 40th anniversary of their partnership and co-host the Sixth Sino-German Sustainable Development Forum. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Sino-German academic cooperation, continuing to build a platform that will shape global influence for years to come.