Delegation from Shanghai Jiao Tong University Visits KIT

On May 27, 2026, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) welcomed a delegation from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), led by its Vice President, Prof. Dr. Liu Weidong, for discussions on the further development of the long-standing collaboration between the two institutions.

To kick off the visit, the delegation met with KIT President Prof. Dr. Jan S. Hesthaven in the Executive Board building. Following a presentation on KIT by Prof. Hesthaven, Prof. Liu presented Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The exchange focused on current developments at both universities as well as prospects for future collaboration in research, teaching, and internationalization.

The cooperation between KIT and SJTU is KIT’s oldest active partnership with a Chinese university and has existed since 1986. The visit is part of a series of high-level meetings between the two partners. For example, the President of SJTU visited KIT in July 2024, while KIT Vice President Prof. Dr. Thomas Hirth visited SJTU in July 2025. In addition, specialized visits and delegation trips take place regularly between the two institutions.

Later in the visit, the delegation gained insights into the activities of EnTechnon – Institute for Entrepreneurship, Technology Management, and Innovation. Among other things, the institute itself and the Students Innovation Lab were presented. Discussions focused on opportunities for collaboration in the areas of innovation, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship.

Finally, the delegation visited the International Department at KIT and the Carl Benz School of Engineering. In addition to a tour of the facilities, further approaches to deepening academic cooperation and international exchange were discussed.

The visit underscores the close partnership between KIT and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, which has grown over decades, as well as the shared interest in further expanding cooperation in the future.