Tongji University actively promotes its internationalization and has become an important window for China’s international exchange in education, culture and technology. Apart from its well-known Sino-German College of Graduate Studies, Sino-French Institute of Management and Engineering, Sino-German College of Applied Engineering and Sino-Italian Campus, Tongji University also has institutes jointly established with the United Nations, such as UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, UNESCO Cultural Heritage Institute of Asia and Pacific etc. Among the honorary doctors or honorary professors of Tongji University, there are many world-renowned scholars and foreign political celebrities like architect Leoh Ming Pei, master of game theory Zelten, Academician of French Academy François Cheng, Ex-Chancellors of Germany Kohl and Schröder, Ex-Under-Secretary-General of United Nations and Executive Director of UNEP Töpfer, and Italian Prime Minister Prodi. With the steady progress of Sino-German Friendship Hospital project and Sino-Italian Design Center project, the international exchange of Tongji University is supposed to be further expanded.

        Every year Tongji University receives about 5000 foreign visitors, among which are High-ranking officials of foreign governments or international organizations. In 2000, Switzerland President Ogi visited Tongji; in 2001, Austria President Klestil paid a visit to Tongji; in 2002, Germany President Schröder visited Tongji; in 2004 French President Chiraque, Under-Secretary-General of UN Töpfer and UNESCO Director General Koïchiro Matsuura made a visit to Tongji respectively; in 2006 Italian Prime Minister Prodi came to Tongji on an official visit; in 2007 German president Köhler, Under-Secretary-General of UN Steiner visited Tongji. Tongji University also invited many Nobel Prize winners to deliver lectures to the students. In Tongji, about 2000 people go abroad for academic exchange and more than 40 international or regional academic conferences are held every year.

        Tongji University attaches great importance to the education of international students. Presently, Tongji’s two Confucius Schools in Tokyo, Japan and Hanov, Germany have secured their smooth operation. In 2008, there are 2437 international students studying at Tongji University, and the foreign students are from more than 100 countries and regions.

International Exchange and Cooperation Office