The Program

The Tsinghua University Engineering Exchange is a fantastic opportunity for Drexel engineering students to complete research and study at one of the top engineering universities in China, Tsinghua University. Tsinghua University attracts the very best students in China. This program is an excellent way for students to engage firsthand in the very strong research that is coming out of China's top universities.

Tsinghua University

Founded in 1911, Tsinghua University--one of China's most famous universities--is situated in a former Qing Dynasty imperial garden surrounded by many historical sites in northwest Beijing. Tsinghua's evolution over the past 98 years has been closely linked to China's development. Tsinghua University today subscribes to the education ideal of comprehensive mastery of Chinese and foreign, classic and modern knowledge in the sciences and the humanities. This ideal is inspired by the mottos "Self-discipline and Social Commitment," "Rigor, Diligence, Veracity, and Creativity," "Actions Speak Louder Than Words," and its core spirit "Patriotism, Devotion and Pursuing Excellence". Tsinghua University has produced more than 160,000 graduates, many of whom have become distinguished scholars and leaders in all walks of life. They have contributed significantly to China's economic, social, cultural, educational and scientific development. Tsinghua is an important center in China for nurturing talented students and promoting advanced scientific research. A comprehensive, research-oriented, and open university, Tsinghua has developed an integrated education platform in science, engineering, the humanities, and medicine.

Academics

Through this unique opportunity students will engage in research in Dr. Wei Sun's lab. Dr. Sun holds faculty appointments at both Drexel University as the Albert Soffa Chair Professor in Drexel's College of Engineering and School of Biomedical Engineering and at Tsinghua Univeristy. At Tsinghua, Dr. Sun’s research focuses on broad Biomanufacturing related areas, including cell-printing of 3D in vitro model for regenerative medicine, control cell assembly for cancer model, construction of complex tissue/organ structures, biomimetic design of 3D tissue scaffold, tissue engineering, CAD/CAM and Freeform Fabrication. Students who select to go in the Fall term may also enroll in Dr. Sun's course on Computer-Aided Tissue Engineering. Due to the specific topics of study, students must be in Mechanical Engineering or Biomedical Engineering in order to participate on this program. As part of the application process, students will need to meet with Dr. Sun to discuss their interest in his research project.

Program Options

Because the focus of this program is on research in a year-round lab at Tsinghua, it is possible for Drexel students to spend any term in Beijing. For students who are interested in enrolling in one or two graduate courses while at Tsinghua, this is only possible during the Fall term due to the Chinese academic calendar.

The Experience

Located on the site of “Qing Hua Yuan” in Haidian District, Beijing, Tsinghua offers a perfect combination of an urban and local atmosphere. The campus is famous for its beautiful surroundings embraced by shady trees and time-honored architectural complexes with different features and styles. It is listed as one of the 14 of the world's most beautiful college campuses by Forbes Magazine in 2010, the only one in Asia. Situated in Beijing, the nation’s capital, Drexel students will be fully immersed in Chinese culture with ample opportunities to begin or further develop their Chinese language skills while exploring the city and neighboring historical sites such as the Great Wall, Summer Palace and Tianenman Square. 
 

Living in Beijng

Exchange students will typically live in shared apartments with other students near campus. These apartments are reasonably priced and can be arranged through a local real estate agency, recommended by Tsinghua.  It is possible for students to apply for the university dormitories, but the rooms are in high demand and visiting students generally prefer the conditions of private housing.

For meals, students can eat at a very economical price in the on-campus cafeterias, and this is an excellent way to experience and understand Chinese university life. There are also a variety of Chinese and Western restaurants located within walking distance of the campus and an even wider range of possibilities for exploration throughout the city.

Travel to China requires a visa, and student participants will be responsible for obtaining their own visa. Instructions on the visa process will be provided to all admitted students.