Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Development: University of Edinburgh and Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Low Carbon College Initiative

Regional Engagement: Strengthening Ties with Shangh Jiao Tong University through the Low Carbon College Initiative

Introduction

The partnership between the University of Edinburgh, Shangh Jiao Tong University SJTU, and the Shangh Lingang City marks a significant milestone in fostering sustnable development and global environmental stewardship. Launched on May 18th, 2017, the Low Carbon College LCC is envisioned as an internationally recognized, world-class educational hub focused on pioneering research and education across low carbon energy, environment, finance, management, cities, and beyond.

Foundational Objectives

The establishment of LCC in Lingang serve as a beacon for sustnable innovation, offering graduate education, scientific research, executive trning, and incubation programs. By leveraging SJTU's expertise in cutting-edge fields like energy, environment, finance, and management alongside world-class institutions such as the University of Edinburgh and University College London, this collaborative effort seeks to contribute meaningfully to the development of a low-carbon society and sustnable global economies.

Global Environmental Impact

LCC is designed not only for academic excellence but also for creating systemic solutions that address critical environmental challenges. It provides an international forum for students, industry professionals from China, UK, and worldwide to convene, collaborate on projects, courses, and partnerships centered around key issues such as low carbon energy systems, r quality management, ecosystem restoration, sustnable resource governance, low-carbon finance mechanisms, and transitioning towards a low carbon economy.

Activities and Initiatives

Dual Taught Postgraduate Programs:

The dual taught postgraduate programs initiated in 2018 have garnered recognition from the Scotland-China Business Council Award for Innovation in Education in 2019. The Masters of Science in Low Carbon Energy and Environment attracts approximately 70 students annually, with a notable percentageranging from 10-15choosing to undertake their studies at Edinburgh campuses under programs like Energy, Society Sustnability, Carbon Finance, and Carbon Management. Since inception, 170 students have graduated with an impressive employment rate of over 90, several graduates having been honored as members of the prestigious Future Energy Leaders FEL-100.

In response to global travel restrictions during the pandemic period, LCC hosted 62 University of Edinburgh MSc students studying Engineering and Informatics, who were unable to physically att Edinburgh campuses. This exemplifies the resilience and adaptability of our educational partnerships.

Joint Summer School Program:

LCC also collaborates in delivering an annual summer school program, Green for Life, which serves as both an international experiential learning opportunity for University of Edinburgh undergraduate students and a gateway for recent graduates worldwide to explore future MSc programs. The initiative has not only enriched the academic profiles of early-career researchers at Edinburgh but has also facilitated the development and delivery of innovative courses on sustnable cities, geoenergy storage potential, among other themes.

Research Partnerships:

Joint seed funding initiated collaborations that have produced significant peer-reviewed publications across engineering, business, environmental science, and health-related low carbon research areas. Contributions include studies on green city impacts on urban environments, sustnable resource management strategies, energy efficiency improvements in building infrastructures, innovative financial mechanisms for renewable energy adoption, and more.

This collaboration has also enabled the project team to secure funding from various sources including UK Research Councils EPSRC, Engineering Physical Sciences Research Council EPSRC, and support from China's Thousand Talents Program, amongst others. The collaborative research efforts have led to a broader portfolio of projects addressing energy and resource sustnability challenges.

Future Prospects

Enhanced Partnership through Funding Calls:

In March 2023, the launch of a second seed fund call deepen the partnership further by supporting a cohort of PhD students under rigorous mentoring from academic staff at each university. This initiative focuses on overcoming key research barriers in energy and resource management for sustnable urban development.

The University's commitment is to foster leadership skills and connections vital for this field, ensuring our students are well-prepared for global roles while also contributing to the academic record necessary for potential Chinese Ministry of Education MoE Joint International Research Laboratory applications scheduled for 2024. This venture underscores Edinburgh's dedication to nurturing talent, providing critical trning, and appreciating cultural differences in international research collaborations.

The partnership between the University of Edinburgh and Shangh Jiao Tong University through the Low Carbon College Initiative is a testament to collaborative efforts med at addressing global environmental challenges sustnably. By offering a bl of educational programs and fostering cutting-edge research, LCC not only advances academic excellence but also contributes significantly towards shaping sustnable future practices globally.

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