Formal visit of the Dean of School of Civil Engineering in China

On September 15th-23rd, 2018, the Dean of the School of Civil Engineering, Mr. N. D. Lagaros and the Director of MSc in "Analysis and Design of Earthquake Resistant Structures" Mr. V. Koumousis visited, upon invitation, the University of Fuzhou located in the homonymous city in China as well as the Graduate School of the University of Tsinghua, located in Shenzhen, China. The purpose of the visit was to explore forms of collaboration on educational and research level with the two Chinese Universities. It should be noted that Tsinghua University ranks among the 10 best Universities of the world in Engineering Sciences in most international rankings (Shanghai, QS, USNews).

The delegation of the School of Civil Engineering visited laboratories of different departments in Fuzhou and Tsinghua Universities and met with the faculty members of these laboratories examining the possibility of collaboration. Official meetings were held with the Secretary and Chairman of the University Council, Mr. CHEN Yongzheng (Fuzhou University) and Associate Dean, Prof. YANG Rui Dong (Tsinghua University). Delegations of both Universities had visited the NTUA during June 2018. It was agreed with Mr. CHEN Yongzheng (Fuzhou University) to develop bilateral contacts aiming to:

• The establishment of International Joint Labs with subjects related to "Harbor Works" and "Protection of Monuments and Cultural Heritage".

• Co-operation at research level through submission of joint research proposals in the framework of bilateral and European programs calls. Exploration of creating joint postgraduate education programs.

• Exploration of creating joint postgraduate education programs. With Prof. YANG Rui Dong (Tsinghua University) was discussed the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the institutional level and agreed to develop bilateral contacts aimed at:

• Τhe collaboration on Sanitary Engineering issues (with Professor GUAN Yuntao, Directorate of Environment) and Energy (with Professor JIANG Yuelu, Directorate of Marine Sciences).

• Co-operation at the research level through submission of joint research proposals in the framework of bilateral and European programs calls.

• The exchange of students and faculty members