Reported by: Liu Peixiang
Translated by: Zhang Guangju
Edited by: Garrick Jones
Date: June 10, 2017
HIT reports. On June 6, which is the 30th anniversary of the School of Astronautics, HIT signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation with Delft University of Technology in Beijing, which is a significant step for the two universities in co-building an International Space Institute. Henk Kamp, the Dutch minister of economic affairs, Wu Yanhua, the deputy director of China National Space Administration, and Han Jie, the vice president of HIT attended the ceremony. On behalf of their universities, Cao Xibin, the president assistant and Dean of the School of Astronautics of HIT, and Henri Werij, the Dean of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics of Delft University of Technology signed the memorandum.
According to the memorandum, the International Space Institute will closely support the development of space science and technology and China’s space industry. On the basis of the universities’ preponderant disciplines, we will develop our teaching and researches in accordance with national space strategies and plans. We will also strive to establish a higher education institute that can gain a foothold in China and have an influence in the world, and a base that can cultivate talents in the field of international space science and technology to promote communication and cooperation between China and Holland in space studies.
In his speech, Henk Kamp said that in 2015, Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and China’s president Xi Jinping witnessed the signing of the cooperation memorandum between the two countries in the exploration and peaceful utilization of outer space. A series of cooperative projects have been promoted under the frame of the memorandum. China has made a significant achievement in its space industry, in which HIT plays a core role. The memorandum between HIT and Delft University of Technology will broaden their cooperation in space, scientific and technological applications, and further promote a closer and deeper mutual cooperation. On the basis of the two universities’ resources, the International Space Institute will have a bright future.
Wu Yanhua said that when President Xi Jingping visited the Netherlands in October 2015, Xi pointed that China and Holland have established all-round and interconnected relations, and the two countries have unique advantages in developing cooperation under the “One Belt One Road” policy. China and Holland are located on the two ends of the “Silk Road Economic Belt”, therefore, it is of great importance for the two countries to develop OBOR economic belt and academic research. In recent years, cooperation between the two countries has greatly deepened, and an open and realistic overall partnership has also been established. Delft University of Technology and HIT are world-leading universities competent in doing research and cultivating talents in the field of space. The memorandum between the two universities, both famous in the world and specialized in aerospace, will open a new page of cooperation between China and Holland in education and in space. The International Space Institute will promote the two countries’ aerospace development and education, and make its own contribution in the open cooperation of the common development and higher education for human civilization.
On behalf of the two universities, Henri Werij made a speech. He said Holland and China are both active participants in the world space industry. In-depth cooperation has been made between the two countries and great progress has also been achieved in cooperation between the two governments, research institutes and companies. The signing of the memorandum between the two universities is significant for the cooperation in university level. The International Space Institute will become a world-class space research institute, providing solutions for challenges of globalization and promote friendship between the two countries.
Delft University of Technology is a world-famous university which has the largest aeronautics and astronautics institute in Europe, and many of its disciplines have a leading role in the world, such as the aerospace engineering, the electronic engineering, the hydraulic engineering, etc. In order to meet our demand in space development plan and strategy, HIT made an initial cooperation intent with Delft University of Technology in July 2016. On March 2017, representatives from both universities held a conference in HIT, and decided that the International Space Institute would initially focus on the following areas and building research centers: space exploration, spacecraft engineering, sensing technology and application, space economy and management, and space ecological environment control.
Representatives of many departments from both countries also attended the ceremony: Holland Economic Affairs Department, the Royal Netherlands Embassy, Delft University of Technology, the School of Astronautics of HIT, leaders in HIT International Cooperation Department, and some experts.
The signing ceremony
Henk Kamp, the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, making his speech.
Wu Yanhua, the deputy director of China National Space Administration, making his speech.
Henri Werij, Dean of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics of Delft University of Technology, making his speech.
The signing of the memorandum
Group photo of the ceremony participants
