Shiyi Chen Meets with Shijun Tong and Jeffrey S. Lehman
On March 12, a delegation led by Professor Shijun Tong, Chancellor of New York University Shanghai (NYU Shanghai), and Professor Jeffrey S. Lehman, Vice Chancellor of NYU Shanghai, visited the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo (EIT). Professor Shiyi Chen, President of EIT and Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, met with the delegation for in-depth discussions on advancing higher education in the new era, innovating international talent cultivation models, and exploring practical cooperation across multiple domains.
Address by Shiyi Chen during the exchange
Professor Shiyi Chen welcomed the delegation and briefed them on EIT's development. He noted that NYU Shanghai stands as a model of Sino-foreign cooperative education, with valuable expertise in cultivating globally competent graduates and innovative educational models from which EIT can draw inspiration. As a newly established research university—defined by its high-caliber foundation, compact yet distinguished character, research orientation, and global engagement—EIT is building a world-class faculty, conducting cutting-edge research, and expanding global partnerships. He expressed hope for deeper engagement and shared progress.
Professor Chunmiao Zheng, Vice President of EIT, outlined the institute's vision, planning, and achievements. EIT emphasizes foundational research, focuses on interdisciplinary frontiers, and highlights engineering and technology. EIT aims to build an academic system centered on science, engineering, information technology, and business management, supplemented by distinctive humanities and social sciences. Its mission is to foster exceptional innovative talents with a profound sense of social responsibility and a global perspective, serving national strategies and regional development.
Address by Shijun Tong during the exchange
Professor Shijun Tong shared insights into NYU Shanghai's history and distinctive character. Founded as a partnership between New York University and East China Normal University, NYU Shanghai leverages a global educational network to facilitate cross-campus exchange and nurture young talent with global perspective and cross-cultural competence. He emphasized that young people represent the future of international exchange, and that universities serve as vital platforms for cross-cultural dialogue—a mission at the heart of NYU Shanghai.
Address by Jeffrey S. Lehman during the exchange
Professor Jeffrey S. Lehman noted that rapid advances in digital education and artificial intelligence applications are opening new vistas for collaboration between the two institutions. These developments, he observed, create opportunities to jointly cultivate top-tier innovative talents equipped with global vision and creative capacity.
Discussions covered digital education, AI applications, interdisciplinary initiatives, and talent cultivation. The two sides explored collaboration opportunities for student exchange, joint research, and resource sharing, and mapped out next steps for collaboration.
The meeting and discussions were also attended by Professor Dongxiao Zhang, Executive Vice President and Provost of EIT and Member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, and Professor Chuanwu Xi, Vice Provost for Global Engagement.
About New York University Shanghai (NYU Shanghai)
Founded in 2012 with approval from Ministry of Education of China and strong support from the Shanghai Municipal Government and the Pudong New Area Government, New York University Shanghai (NYU Shanghai) is the first Sino-American research university established in China. A partnership between East China Normal University and New York University, it stands as one of the three degree-granting campuses of NYU's global network.
Rooted in China with a global outlook, NYU Shanghai draws upon NYU's advanced educational philosophy and world-class resources to deliver excellence in teaching, research, and public service. Conceived as a transformative pilot project in China's higher education reform, the university is dedicated to cultivating global citizens equipped with international perspective, cross-cultural communication skills, and innovative capacity.
