On January 27, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and the University of Waterloo (UW) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a new milestone in bilateral cooperation.
In his address for the signing ceremony held at Conference Room 454 of Shanghai Jiao Tong University Global College (SJTUGC, abbreviated as GC), SJTU Vice President Weidong Liu emphasized that SJTU, rooted in China and oriented toward the world, has upheld the spirit of “seeking truth and serving society” throughout its 130-year history, striving to build itself into a comprehensive, innovative, and international world-class university. The signing of the MoU signifies the beginning of a new stage of bilateral cooperation covering talent cultivation, scientific research, and innovation and entrepreneurship. A deeper and more substantive flagship partnership is expected, offering students enriched global learning experiences and providing scholars with broader platforms for joint research and for addressing global challenges, said Liu.
UW Associate Vice President Alfred Yu said UW has long looked forward to partnering with SJTU to jointly deliver global impact and to nurture a new generation of innovative leaders. He noted that, moving forward, the two sides could continue to broaden their collaboration through diverse approaches, including undergraduate and graduate academic programs, joint research initiatives, as well as faculty and student exchanges.
GC Dean Hesheng Wang introduced the development and distinctive features of GC during the event, highlighting its commitment to advancing its mission with a global vision and building a high-level international partnership network since launching the strategic transformation of the college. UW representatives also presented overviews of their university and respective faculties. In-depth discussions were then held on expanding areas of cooperation and deepening institutional ties.
SJTU and UW representatives sign cooperation agreements.
Under the MoU, the two universities will explore a broad spectrum of collaborative initiatives, including undergraduate dual-degree (2+2) programs, graduate programs, dual master’s degree programs, and jointly supervised doctoral programs. These efforts are expected to enhance the level of academic collaboration, broaden the scope of partnership, and provide students with more diversified international development pathways.
Located in Ontario, Canada, UW is a leading public research university renowned for its strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation. Its strengths in computer science, engineering, and mathematics rank among the top globally, with disciplines such as computer science, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering consistently leading national rankings. The university also hosts the world’s largest cooperative education (CO-OP) program, offering students extensive industry-integrated learning opportunities.
