Dr.Shuguo Wang, President of Xi'an Jiaotong University
Located in China’s famous ancient capital, Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) is one of China’s oldest education institutions, with beginnings dating back to 1896. XJTU is a comprehensive university with a focus on science and engineering. As the university celebrates its 120-year anniversary, Shuguo Wang, president of XJTU, reviews its history and discusses grand plans to further develop XJTU into a world-class facility through research innovation and international collaboration.
Q: What is the history of XJTU?
XJTU’s roots can be traced back to 1896 when Nanyang College was founded in Shanghai. It was renamed Jiaotong University in 1921. In 1956, the State Council decided to move the main body of Jiaotong University to Xi’an and in 1959 it was formally named Xi’an Jiaotong University and designated as one of the key universities in China. In 2000, Xi’an Medical University and Shaanxi Institute of Finance and Economics were merged with XJTU. These days XJTU comprises 26 schools, eight undergraduate colleges, and 12 affiliated teaching hospitals, covering 10 branches of learning, including science, engineering, medicine, economics, management, humanities, law, philosophy, education and arts. We are proud to celebrate our 120th anniversary and the 60th anniversary of the western relocation on April 8 this year.
Q: What are the strengths of XJTU?
We excel in science and engineering research and are top-ranked in terms of the number of national science and technology awards received. Since 2009, XJTU earned 27 national scientific and technological awards, including eight in natural sciences, nine for technological inventions, and 10 for science and technology progress. Our research on Pb-based relaxor ferroelectric and high-precision control technology in special power supply won national awards in 2015, and was widely adopted in industrial applications. High-quality faculty and staff are our most valuable asset. XJTU boasts 25 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, six recipients of national teaching excellence prizes, 47 Yangtze Chaired Professors, 35 national distinguished young scholars and hundreds of faculty on various national talent plans. Together, we plan to contribute more to national and global socio-economic development by enhancing our research innovation capabilities.
Q: How does XJTU plan to lead in scientific innovation?
We are drawing on our disciplinary, research, and facility strengths and the industrial advantages of Shaanxi province to build a firstclass scientific and technological innovation park – the Western China Science and Technology Innovation Harbour. This six-year project will result in a 291-hectare campus on the southern bank of Wei River, 25km from Xi’an’s centre. It will cover four major functional blocks: scientific research, education, technological transfer and incubation, and integrated service. When completed in 2020, the project will have eight research institutes and more than 20,000 talented scholars engaged in research and development, including more than 200 leading experts and their teams. With support from local and national governments, we aim to create an innovation platform in western China; a cultural, scientific and technological exchange demonstration zone in the Silk Road Economic Belt which will be an international model for mart towns.
Q: What are collaborative innovation centres?
Our collaborative innovation centre will foster and gather talented scholars from China and abroad, integrating disciplinary excellences and resources to advance theoretical research and experiential learning. The Collaborative Innovation Center for High-End Manufacturing Equipment was created by XJTU together with Zhejiang University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology and Dalian University of Technology. It focuses on high-speed and high-efficiency manufacturing equipment, precision manufacturing equipment, and 3D printing, aiming to build an application platform to advance core technologies, educate promising researchers and enhance international cooperation in the field. We have also built the Collaborative Innovation Center for Pilot Reform Exploration and Assessment and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Silk Road Economic Belt Studies with our international or government partners.
Q: What are XJTU’s internationalization measures?
Our location at Xi’an, the eastern terminus of the ancient Silk Road, gives XJTU a geographic edge in China’s “One Belt One Road” strategy and the Western Development Program. We want to grasp this opportunity to bring international prestige for XJTU through establishing the University Alliance of the Silk Road (UASR). UASR is a non-governmental and non-profit organization set up to build a platform for international cooperation in higher education and to promote regional discourse and development. It targets universities in countries and regions along the Silk Road. Last May, nearly 100 highly-regarded universities from 22 countries and regions gathered in Xi’an and endorsed the Xi’an Declaration and UASR was officially created. Furthermore, we have networked with 135 prestigious universities around the world, including Harvard, Stanford, Oxford and Cambridge universities. Our number of international students grows steadily over the years.
Q: What are some UASR activities?
Major areas of cooperation at UASR include institutional exchange, talent training, joint research, cultural communication, policy studies and medical services. So far, we have convened the first forum for presidents of UASR, launched the UASR Educational Exhibition and Cultural Festival, and hosted the first UASR Standing Committee Meeting. We plan to have more joint programs in research, lab building, student training, and faculty and student exchange with participating UASR universities to broaden our collaboration. To mark the anniversary, XJTU will convene the Presidents’ Summit for the Standing Committee of UASR to further explore mutual interests and establish greater cooperation.
