Press release
Wageningen and Tsinghua University to collaborate on liveable and sustainable cities
Tsinghua University and Wageningen University are to collaborate on education and research on liveable, sustainable metropolises. The universities have entered into two agreements to this end. These agreements were concluded during a 'Wageningen Day' at the prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing, China on 2 and 3 June 2016.
A delegation from the Wageningen Institute for Environment and Climate Research (WIMEK) and the Wageningen University Education Institute, together with Rector Magnificus Professor Arthur Mol, visited Tsinghua University's School of Environment. This resulted in the signing of two declarations of intent. The declarations state that the two universities will look for collaborative constructions for Bachelor's and Master's programmes, exchange programmes for researchers and perhaps a joint PhD programme.
The research themes will primarily address environmental issues in both the natural and social sciences such as urban water systems that guarantee protective measures for both the regular water supply and water surpluses; air quality; energy savings and sustainable production; waste processing; and the interaction between urban development, ecology and biodiversity.
The collaboration will soon start with joint activities such as the exchange of study materials and software and reciprocal visits for research projects.
There is a great need for knowledge and insights in the fields of environmental technology and environmental policy in China's urban environments. China's growing population and prosperity have resulted in a massive increase in industrial production. This in turn has brought about environmental problems, a fact acknowledged by the Chinese government, that must be addressed as quickly as possible. This demands investment in the development of knowledge in the area of responsible air and water quality management - knowledge that is largely already present at Wageningen or that can be developed together with the Chinese partners.