The virtual forum stretched across four days, and consisted of an opening ceremony, a closing ceremony, and four parallel workshops in different research areas. Almost 40 professors of both universities used this opportunity to learn about the most recent development of aerospace research and the existing funding schemes and resources on each side, and to identify potential areas of cooperation in the future. About 150 postgraduates and researchers from TUM and Beihang joined the various sessions organized as part of the forum.
Welcome remarks by TUM Senior Vice President for International Alliances and Alumni
Delivering a welcome speech at the opening session, Prof. Dr. Juliane Winkelmann, TUM Senior Vice President for International Alliances and Alumni, stressed that TUM is very much committed to developing an even more strategic relationship with Beihang in the future.
She also encouraged participants to the opportunity of the forum “to reflect on broader questions of international cooperation. How do we promote international encounters with restrictions still applying on international mobility? How can we translate current challenges into future opportunities to make internationalization and international partnerships more accessible, inclusive and open for all?”
Cooperation of great international significance
Prof. Haijun Huang, Vice President for Academic and International Affairs of Beihang University, concurred. He stated: “As two of the world’s leading research institutions in aerospace engineering, where the most cutting-edge technologies are required, our collaboration today will have its own symbolic meaning for developing new technological solutions, improving people’s wellbeing and tackling the grand challenges for mankind.”
Excellent partnership since 2007
Since 2007, Beihang University and TUM have been linked by an institutional partnership agreement, under which both partners have developed successful research collaborations, promoted the mobility of students and researchers, and instituted frequent exchanges on leadership level. The virtual forum is the latest format developed by both partners to bring researchers together. A second – physical – installment is already planned for the spring of 2021.
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