News & Events

Strategic Agreement Signed with the U.S.’s University of Michigan

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On May 21st，the chair of the University of Michigan’s Taubman college of architecture and urban planning Massey Jonathan visited the Shanghai Jiao Tong University school of design. Dean Ruan Xing, Wang Lin from the architecture department, and other key faculty and personnel from the school welcomed the delegation at the Xuhui campus’s central office. 

Firstly, Dean Ruan gave a warm welcome to Professor Jonathan, and introduced the background and development of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, as well as its global standing and academic ranking. He emphasized the significance of the founding of the school of design, as well as its state of development and future plans. Massey Jonathan then gave a detailed introduction about the University of Michigan college of architecture and urban planning’s academic focus and curriculum. He also remarked on the role architectural studies can play in the future of urban planning.

Next, both parties exchanged ideas about ways to develop future collaboration. They extensively discussed ways to jointly organize classes, sponsor student exchanges, hold summer semester programs, launch design workshops, and jointly administer undergraduate and masters degrees.

At the meeting, both parties signed a document titled “A Strategic Agreement on Cooperation between the Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s School of Design and the University of Michigan’s  Taubman College  of Architecture and Urban Planning.” This called for the commencement of deep cooperation in areas including semester student exchanges, and academic research.   

That evening, Professor Jonathan lectured on “Building Better Futures,” which combined rich examples of architectural precedents and practice. His talk was followed by a lively exchange and discussion with students and faculty.

The University of Michigan was founded in 1817, and is one of the United State’s oldest public universities. It has been called a “public ivy” and “a classic public university.” It represents one of the top U.S. public schools. In 2018, it was ranked by the US News and World report as the 18th top school in the world, 20th by QS rankings, and 20th by the Times Higher Education rankings.

The University of Michigan has a record of distinguished achievements and strong influences in all academic areas. The school’s departments of engineering, medicine, and arts are all ranked in the top 15 in the entire United States. Its curriculum for intelligent design was ranked in the top ten for the whole country. 

Photography Han Songru

Review Du Shuai

Edited by Huang Ju

Translation by Abraham Zamcheck