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A tree as a symbol for the relationships between the Chinese Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU) and their partner universities: Prof. Dr. Gerhard Schneider, Rector of Aalen University, and SZTU-President Prof. Ruan Shuangchen (front right) actively assist with the planting.

In the face of China’s increasing importance in the economic field, as well as in the research sector, Aalen University would like to further intensify their contacts in the Middle Kingdom. A delegation from Aalen University visited Shenzhen Technology University’s (SZTU) International Week in China. President Prof. Ruan Shuangchen emphasized, that Aalen University was SZTU’s first partner university, and because of this, the relationship to Aalen is a special one. It is now necessary to further expand it through mutual exchange.

Shenzhen Technology University was built on the model of German Universities of Applied Sciences and was opened two years ago. Since its founding, it has been tied to Aalen University. „It is a special honor, that Rector Prof. Dr. Gerhard Schneider represents Aalen University with their outstanding research profile in the frame of the International Week“, said Prof. Ruan Shuangchen, President of STZU. „The exchange with China is extremely important“, emphasized Schneider and added: „I have great respect for the development that China has performed in the past decades. For our University, partnerships with this fascinating country are of great importance.“ In Shenzehn, it is especially impressive, how the vision of education is implemented in an uncompromising way, and how an open countryside is being turned into a campus for 20,000 students with „Shenzhen Speed“. Shenzhen is a hotspot of Chinese industry and technological development. „With their industrial environment (for example: Huawei, BYD Automobile, or Han’s Laser), SZTU is an enormously important partner in China“, said Prof. Dr. Gerhard Schneider.

In the frame of the International Week at SZTU, Deans Prof. Dr. Rainer Börret and Prof. Dr. Jürgen Trost also offered lectures for students and professors which were very well received. The Chinese students were especially interested in Aalen’s Master Programs. „Together with my Chinese colleagues, we spontaneously organized an information session and presented Aalen University’s English-taught programs. In particular, our unique Research Master Program ‚Advanced Materials and Manufacturing‘ and ‚Advanced Systems Design‘ were met with lively interest“, said Börret.

Through SZTU, students at Aalen University have the opportunity to have an internship semester or to write their thesis in one of the international firms on-site, and to experience Chinese life and the Chinese working world. In Summer Semester 2020, the first students from Aalen will leave for Shenzhen. An exchange with the Middle Kingdom is thrilling not only for the students – the Chinese University is also very interested in the exchange of professors as well – for example: for short-term lectureships. So, in November, Professors Dr. Ralf-Christian Härting and Dr. Jürgen Strauß from the School of Business Studies will present lectures at SZTU.