This program was expanded by the Double Master’s Program in 2011 and consequently by the Fast-Track Program in 2018.

To strengthen the present cooperation and to increase the appeal of TU Darmstadt to the Chinese students, the first “Tongji Summer School” took place in 2019.

Due to the pandemic situation in the previous year, the Summer School program was unfortunately cancelled. Fortunately, the program, consisting of twelve students, took place this year for the second time. However, this time the program was conducted online with a variety of interesting and well-informed lectures and activities planned for our esteemed students. The time difference between Germany and China was a particular challenge during the planning phase.

Based on the feedback from the previous Summer School program of 2019, the program was expanded to offer students an in-depth look at German student life as well as of the German culture. After getting to know the Technical University of Darmstadt, various departments such as the Institute of Automotive Engineering (FZD), the Institute of Combustion Engines and Vehicle Propulsion System (VKM) as well as the Institute for Mechatronics System (IMS) introduced their research topics and test facilities. They also presented an outlook of the current courses and the research work.

Through various cultural programs, such as German language courses, intercultural workshops, Teamwork-Workshop as well as numerous online networking events, the students received a lasting impression of the German culture and the student atmosphere here in Germany. In the end, the students exchanged their impressions and experiences in group workshops and, among other things, developed an understanding of the cultural and career-related differences between China and Germany in addition to discussing the different contents of the individual courses.

The students were ecstatic with respect to the organisation and the program content and emphasised their increased enthusiasm to continue working with automotive-related research topics. The first online “Tongji Summer School” was a success, while the planning for the Summer School program for the upcoming year has already commenced.