In 1979, when the University of Science and Technology Beijing and RWTH Aachen University in Germany signed a cooperative agreement, it was a historical moment in China's history of international cooperation in higher education. The agreement was one of the first such partnerships following what is known as the 'Reform and Opening-Up Period', and in the past 40 years the two universities have grown together and seen much mutual benefit through teacher and student exchange, joint research ventures and hosting international symposiums.
To date, USTB has sent over 400 students to RWTH Aachen for further study, while RWTH Aachen has in turn sent over 200 students to USTB for internships and cultural exchange. Many of USTB’s leaders and notable alumni, who have made great accomplishments in government, research and industry, were also students at RWTH Aachen. Meanwhile, the two universities have made great strides in the pursuit of innovative joint research and the training of high-class talents, and have set the standard for such partnerships throughout China.
