Finnish Aalto University and Chinese Tongji University have established a new cooperation platform in Shanghai called Aalto-Tongji Design Factory. It’s focusing on innovative design, research and cooperation. The space has been designed and built during this spring and it will be opened May 25th in Zhangwu Campus of Tongji University.
Aalto-Tongji Design Factory is the first concrete step towards a broader cooperation between the two universities. On the opening day, the President of Aalto University Tuula Teeri and the President of Tongji University Pei Gang will sign an agreement of realizing the Sino-Finnish Centre, a dynamic platform for Sino-Finnish cooperation. “This is one small step for two universities, and one giant leap for moth humankind and kind humans”, says president Pei.
The mission of the cooperation is to build a better world to live in. “We want to change the world” say both Presidents. They agree that the 21st century will undoubtedly be a century of design and innovation. The new era needs new approaches of human centered innovation. “To achive this and go even further, international, transcultural and interdisciplinary collaboration is of utmost importance” say Teeri and Pei.
The Important and Concrete Aims
China is one of the world’s most rapidly developing economies and market areas. “Made in China” has evolved into a self-explanatory concept, but the aim of China is to transform the concept into “Created in China”. The common aim of Aalto University and Tongji University is to develop into world-class universities as well as to support sustainable development of their societies and the growth of the innovation competence in key areas. Both parties are committed to concrete action, which is proven by the realization of Aalto-Tongji Design Factory in only a few months’ time. “Our aims are ambitious and we are expecting both short-term and long-term benefits”, states President Tuula Teeri.
Aalto-Tongji Design Factory
The working environment of 1000 sq.m. which is opened today will be developed from the principles of Aalto University’s Design Factory in Finland in its operations in the Chinese cultural environment. The most important aim is to promote education, research and interaction with other actors of the society which is related to development of innovative products and services. Students, researchers and the representatives of industry and commerce will cooperate to practice and develop methods for creative problem solving, prototyping, practical experimenting and creating a better user experience.
The Interdisciplinary Future
The basic idea of Aalto University the interaction between technology and science, art, design and economics. These are essential in the functions of the Factory. Aalto-Tongji Design Factory which is now opened has generated great interest in advance among both Chinese and Finnish university people. The 82 Aalto students who traveled through Siberia all the way from Finland to Shanghai World Expo will meet their Chinese colleagues in the various workshops and free program organized during the opening week. Many companies operating in Finland and China and especially in Shanghai have already listed as partners in the project.
“Wonderful! Nothing like this has happened in China before!” has been heard from many guests who have visited the site in advance. Also the people from Aalto University who have taken part in the project have learned tremenduously about the Chinese society, university and business world and, most of all, the people, new friends and culture”, summarizes the project manager Viljami Lyytikäinen.
http://aaltodesignfactory.fi/future/aalto-design-factory-shanghai/
