Harbin Institute of Technology visits Politecnico, strengthening the understanding between the two universities

The Chinese delegation from HIT's School of Architecture and Design at Politecnico

Politecnico and Harbin Institute of Technology – one of the best STEM universities in China – are strengthening their collaboration, expanding their shared objectives, particularly in the fields of Architecture and Urban Planning. The partnership dates back to 2007, when Politecnico and HIT signed their first Memorandum of Understanding, and then launched their first Double Degree program in Architecture in 2009.

New horizons of cooperation, therefore, have been outlined by the two universities and were the focus of the visit of the Chinese delegation from the School of Architecture and Design of HIT, led by the Dean Sun Cheng and composed of professors Leng Hong, Zhang Yu, Liu Ying, Li Jicen and Cheng Fangyu. The guests were welcomed to Politecnico on 17 and 18 March by the Director of the Department of Architecture and Design-DAD Michele Bonino, DAD professors Francesco Novelli, Elena Dellapiana and Lorenzo Savio, DAD research fellow Xiaoxu Liang, and several representatives of the China Center.

The synergy between Politecnico and HIT has been strengthened with the launch of two new, important initiatives: the Co-run Program in Smart Building and Construction, supported by the Chinese Ministry of Education-MOE, and the International Joint Laboratory on Green and Low-carbon Urban Regeneration. The Co-run Program – whose scientific head is Professor Lorenzo Savio – is active from the academic year 2024/2025 at HIT and involves Politecnico professors in a third of the courses, offering double degree opportunities to the Chinese university's student community. With the opening of the International Joint Laboratory on Green and Low-carbon Urban Regeneration, the aim is to develop sustainable solutions for architecture and urban planning through joint research projects.

The opening of the Harbin Institute of Technology exhibition at DAD

During the meetings that were scheduled, the actions planned for the implementation and development of the two initiatives were discussed in detail, and ample space was also given to formulating new proposals for collaboration in the field of education. The delegation then attended the inauguration of an exhibition dedicated to the Harbin Institute of Technology, created with the aim of presenting to Politecnico professors involved in the initiatives the academic and cultural context, and the main characteristics and distinctive elements of the Chinese university.

Among the participants at the meetings were Francesca Spigarelli, professor at the University of Macerata, and Andrea Gritti, professor at Politecnico di Milano – both members of the Scientific Committee of the new International Joint Laboratory on Green and Low-carbon Urban Regeneration. Together with them, the topics that led to the creation of the Joint Lab with HIT were further explored, focusing on the shared commitment to invest in theoretical and applied research projects with a focus on sustainability in architectural development and urban regeneration of the territory.

At the end of the first day, an event was held at Toolbox Coworking, organized together with the Ordine degli Architetti PPC della Provincia di Torino, entitled ‘Polito Studio. International exchanges in architectural practice’, which saw the participation, among others, of Sun Cheng, Giada Messetti, Francesca Spigarelli and Lorenzo Savio. An event promoted to involve the academic and professional community in the dialogue that supports international cooperation in the architectural field, with positive repercussions on society. During the second day, as part of the DAD Insights initiative, the Dean of HIT, Sun Cheng, spoke to the members of the DAD Department Council, reaffirming the strategic importance of the cooperation between the two universities. An increasingly solid cooperation: Politecnico and Harbin Institute of Technology continue to build bridges between Europe and Asia, promoting innovation in education and research with a view to a positive exchange of knowledge and skills at a global level.