CAC_SUD Unveiled

On October 27, an unveiling ceremony for the China-Australia Center for Sustainable Urban Development (CAC_SUD) and the first China-Australia Symposium “Challenges of Sustainable Urban Development” was held at Tianjin University (TJU). Attendees included representatives from associated government departments, TJU, and University of South Australia (UniSA), as well as domestic universities, institutes and enterprises.

Seven representatives addressed the ceremony. They were TJU President Li Jiajun and Vice President Shu Gequn, UniSA Vice President Nigel Relph, Ms. Yang Xuemei from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ms. Fan Yingzi from the Tianjin Science and Technology Committee, Mr. Bao Jingling from the Tianjin Environment Protection Bureau, and Mr. Luo Xu from China Coal Technologies Group Corporation.

Vice President Shu delivered the welcome address. He also reviewed the collaboration between UniSA and TJU, as well as their endeavors regarding the establishment of the center. He hoped the center could further promote collaboration between the two universities.

Vice President Nigel Relph said that it is the role of universities to address the major problems facing the world. UniSA is delighted to be able to form a partnership with TJU, the first university in China. TJU is especially strong in areas related to the environment and sustainable development. He has been particularly impressed by the efficiency of accomplishing things at TJU, so he believes the center will be a success. He hoped the launch of the center would highlight the sustained relationship between China and Australia, play a role in mutual understanding, as well as provide practical solutions to shared problems.

Ms. Yang Xuemei, Ms. Fan Yingzi, Mr. Bao Jingling, and Mr. Luo Xu also offered their congratulations on the establishment of the center and expressed confidence in its future development in their talks. They believe that this center will promote the development of both Australia and China, and improve the quality of life for the people in both countries.

President Li Jiajun delivered the closing speech. He stated that research in environmental science is one of TJU’s focuses. He believes that the center is good for both universities, for their cities, for the countries, and even the world. He also mentioned that a TJU delegation would visit UniSA next February for the second phase of the launch celebration of the center. After the speeches, President Li Jiajun and Nigel Relph unveiled the official signage of the center.

Following the unveiling ceremony was the first China-Australia Symposium “Challenges of Sustainable Urban Development”. Five speakers delivered keynote speeches. Professor Gan Shijun, Director of the Expert Committee of National Sustainable Communities, presented “Green and Healthy - A New Direction for Urban Planning Innovation”. Professor Andrew Parfitt, Vice President of UniSA, talked about the approach to research in sustainable development from an Australian viewpoint. Mr. Wang Yuqing, Chairman of the China Society for Environmental Sciences, shared statistical data on environmental quality and opportunity in China. Professor Steffen Lehmann, Director of the Center for Sustainable Design and Behavior at UniSA, elaborated on the substantial collaboration between the two universities through the center as well as its mission and future plans. Professor Pan Jiahua, President of the Institute for Urban and Environmental Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Science, focused on “Rethinking paradigm: the need for a shift from industrial to ecological civilization”.

Later in the afternoon, guests, TJU faculty, and student representatives held discussions on promoting China-Australia cooperation for sustainable urban development and the first steering committee meeting of the center. Afterwards, guests visited the TJU History Museum.

In September 2011, UniSA and TJU reached an agreement on the establishment of the CAC_SUD. On June 26, 2012, the two universities signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the center. The establishment of the center is an important measure for the implementation of TJU’s Internationalization Strategy. It is also a platform for the long-term strategic partnership between TJU and UniSA. With this platform, talent training, disciplinary construction, and internationalization of the two universities will be promoted. It will also contribute to the urban environment and sustainable development of China and Australia.