The “Innovation Forum on Digital Design and Manufacturing Exhibition and Innovation Summit” is a professional event dedicated to the latest advances in digital design and manufacturing. It showcases cutting-edge technological developments, industrial trends, and research achievements while creating a platform for dialogue and collaboration among academia, industry, and research institutions.
The program, jointly organized by the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Debrecen (UD) and Shanghai DianJi University, took place within the framework of the Chinese government’s “Belt and Road” Science and Technology Initiative. Its primary goal is to establish a shared platform for development among higher education, industry, and research, launching tangible projects in the fields of sustainable development, green energy, and Industry 4.0. The current visit of the Shanghai delegation to the Faculty of Engineering in Debrecen was connected to this initiative.
The morning was dedicated to visits to the mechanical engineering and mechatronics laboratories, offering the delegation firsthand experience of the faculty’s state-of-the-art research facilities, dual-degree programs, and industrial partnerships.
Visit to the Rector’s Office
The delegation was welcomed by Professor József Tőzsér, Vice-Rector for Life Sciences and Sector Development, and Okszana Kiszil, Director of Coordination and Strategy. The four-member Chinese delegation was headed by Gong Siyi, Rector of Shanghai DianJi University.
During the meeting, the Hungarian hosts presented the University of Debrecen.
Ms. Kiszil highlighted that the university has 33,000 students, of whom 7,800 are international, representing 140 countries. She also noted that UD has a broad international cooperation network, including strong partnerships with foreign industrial companies established in Debrecen.
Professor Géza Husi, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, spoke about doctoral education opportunities and the faculty’s strategic approach to research collaboration. He recalled that the initial contact between the two institutions was made four years ago, followed by several visits by UD delegations to Shanghai. This summer, the Faculty of Engineering signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize their cooperation, laying the foundation for a long-term partnership in engineering education and doctoral research.
“The Chinese delegation is particularly interested in our doctoral programs in industrial, mechanical, automotive, and building services engineering. Both sides see great potential for collaboration in doctoral training, joint research projects, and student exchanges.
Our Doctoral School of Engineering is also planning to establish a presence in Shanghai, where DianJi University could become one of its key partner institutions,” explained Professor Husi.
About Shanghai DianJi University
Representatives from Shanghai DianJi University shared that their institution currently has 13,500 students and employs more than 1,000 academic staff members. While the university’s primary focus areas include engineering, economics, and management, it also offers programs in arts, literature, and other disciplines.
They emphasized their commitment to advanced technologies, innovation, and talent development, as well as the preservation of cultural heritage, noting that they are open to establishing new innovation mechanisms together with UD’s Faculty of Engineering.
This visit marks an important step in strengthening the strategic engineering partnership between the University of Debrecen and Shanghai DianJi University. Both sides highlighted doctoral-level collaboration, joint research initiatives, and innovation-driven industrial cooperation as the foundation for their future cooperation under the Belt and Road scientific and technological framework.