Project
Project background
A Communiqué on educational cooperation was issued by the Minister of Education of the People' s Republic of China, Zhou Ji and the Minister of Education, University and Research of the Republic of Italy, Letizia Moratti in Beijing, China on July 4th, 2005.
The two sides decided to develop a joint project in institutions of higher learning of the two countries. Tongji University from China and Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino from Italy developed a joint bachelor program in Engineering. Accordingly, the Sino-Italian Campus of Tongji University was established.
Objectives
- Promote the common development in higher education of China and Italy;
- Joint training of internationalized talents familiar with the cultures of both countries;
- Enhance the level of scientific research and development;
- Support the cooperation in the fields of education and industry of the two countries.
Degree Courses and Training models
In the first phase of cooperation two degree courses are activated, that is, Mechanical and Production Engineering and Information Technology Engineering.
The project entails an integrated Bachelor program for Italian students from Politecnico di Torino and Politecnico di Milano and for Chinese students from Tongji University of Shanghai, organized as follows:
- PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR CHINESE STUDENTS
First three years in China: Chinese students, who enter university one year earlier than Italian students attend their first three years of study at Tongji University. The first academic year of the project entails courses of instruction agreed upon by Italian and Chinese professors and taught by Chinese faculties in Chinese. Courses in the following two years are taught in English by both Chinese lecturers and lecturers from the two Italian universities.
Fourth year in Italy: Chinese students complete their course of studies in Italy, where they attend courses given in English Upon completion of their studies, including a final graduation project, students will obtain a joint Bachelor of Science degree (Laurea di primo livello) from Politecnico di Torino and Politecnico di Milano and a Bachelor of Science degree from Tongji University.
- PROGRAM OF STUDY FOR ITALIAN STUDENTS
First year in Italy: the first academic year entails basic courses in English.
Second year in Shanghai: Italian students attend their second year at the Tongji University of Shanghai together with the Chinese students participating in the project — the latter, due to the different educational system, have already completed two years at Tongji University and have begun their study of the Italian language. The courses are taught in English by Italian lecturers from the two Italian universities and Chinese lecturers from Tongji University.
Third year in Italy: having obtained 180 ECTS credits, also including a final project, Italian students will obtain a joint Bachelor of Science degree (Laurea di primo livello) from Politecnico di Torino and Politecnico di Milano.
Optional fourth year — 6 months in Shanghai: an additional 6-month period of study in Shanghai is required in order to obtain a Chinese Bachelor of Science degree from Tongji University. During this period students will primarily focus on research.
Project History
- On July 4th, 2005 the Minister of Education of the People’s Republic of China and the Minister of Education, University and Research of the Republic of Italy signed a joint Communiqué. This includes a project for the development of Sino-Italian University in Shanghai and the establishment of a Sino-Italian Campus. Both sides agreed that Tongji University, Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino would launch a joint bachelor degree project in Engineering for both Chinese and Italian students. Following this, preparation work on this project officially started.
- From Dec. 2nd to 7th, 2005, a delegation led by Prof. Wan Gang, President of Tongji University visited Pavia University, Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino. The agreement was signed during this trip.
- On February 20th, 2006, Miniters of Education from China and Italy attended the signing ceremony of this joint project. Tongji University signed the MoU on the Sino-Italian Campus with Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino.
- On September 16th, 2006 an opening ceremony for the Sino-Italian Engineering Campus took place with the participation of the Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi and the Italian Minister of University and Research Fabio Mussi. Following this, the first year of the program started with the enrolment of the first batch of undergraduate students and the beginning of classes in Shanghai.