April 12th was the 118th anniversary of SJTU as well as JI’s 8th anniversary. To commemorate this significant day, the cornerstone of the new JI Building was laid on the future site near SJTU’s East Gate. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Jiang Sixian, SJTU Party Secretary, Zhang Jie, SJTU President, Huang Zheng, Wu Dan, Xu Xuemin, SJTU Vice Presidents, Ma Dexiu, former SJTU Party Secretary, Xie Shengwu, former SJTU President, Ye Quyuan, former SJTU Vice President, James Holloway, UM Vice Provost for Global and Engaged Education,Gregory Hulbert,UM Professor in Mechanical Engineering, Richal Rogal, Campaign Vice Chair of UM, and Brodie Remington, UM Senior Director of International Giving. JI faculty and staff, students, alumni, parents as well as other SJTU department leaders and corporate partners were present at the ceremony which Dean Jun officiated.
In his address, Party Secretary Jiang recognized JI’s achievements in international education through innovative education,world-class faculty, and excellent students. After eight years, JI has become the pride of SJTU. However, the restriction of physical space has created a bottle neck in JI’s progress. He believed the new JI Building would promote JI’s long-term development so JI can continue to be the role model for China’s higher education reform.
Prof. James Holloway spoke as the representative of the University of Michigan. As a witness of JI’s birth and growth, he felt excited about the new JI Building. Holding the bright JI umbrella under the rain, he punned, “We need a roof.” Holloway reassured UM’s strong support for JI. “The UM is committed to assisting the Joint Institute in raising funds to support our students and to build the world-class facilities that a world-class faculty need in order to address the most important challenges of society. The JI building will be a powerful visual symbol of that engagement.”
Party Secretary Jiang, President Zhang, Vice Provost Holloway, and Dean Ni unveiling the cornerstone
Leaders from both universities shoveling around the cornerstone
All attendees, starting from the VIP’s, took turns shoveling around the cornerstone.
The new JI Building will be 10,465 square meters in ground area and 32,000 square meters in total construction area. It follows the design ideas of world class universities and aims to be economical, practical, friendly, peaceful, and green. It will serve the needs of faculty, students, and staff.
The estimated completion date is in 2016. The future JI Building will become a SJTU landmark that helps realize SJTU as an international research university.
