General Information

In order to better respond to the needs for design innovation in the changes of society, economy, technology and environment, the Innovation Field of Tongji University adheres to the concept that design education should serve economic development and social progressing, and teaching, scientific research and experimental practice should be closely integrated. It is an interdisciplinary, international, innovative and open experimental teaching platform with smooth administration, advanced curriculum system, active foreign cooperation and effective support to national strategies. The centre brings together various quality resources, focusing on building a platform for world-class international design education, innovation and entrepreneurship, school-enterprise cooperation, integration of research and teaching, and interdisciplinary and cross-school experimental teaching, to provide strong support for educating talents in “sustainable design innovation” of which the current era has an increasing demand.

Guided by the framework of the T-shaped education system, the Innovation Field proposes the experimental concept of combination of depth and breadth, theory and practice, and tradition and openness. It sets up an experimental pedagogical system featuring a firm foundation, specialization in profession, interdisciplinary collaboration and emphasis on actual practice. The core of experimental teaching is to achieve the integration of expertise and diversity and enhance students’ ability in deploying multidisciplinary knowledge and problem-solving across multiple contexts. By fostering a broad knowledge base, in-depth specialization, and a practiced ability to innovate, the system satisfies the Three Holistic Requirements of Education (all-round, whole process and full staff education) with continuity over bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.

The Innovation Field has six major educational platforms and 21 laboratories covering an area of 5,500 square meters, fitted out with more than 2,600 pieces of equipment with a total asset value of 47 million RMB. The centre is staffed by a first-class team of experimental teachers, technicians and administration personnel. There are 40 full-time personnel in the centre, of whom 53% are specialists in their respective fields, 88% have postgraduate qualification or above, and 65% have an international education background.

The Innovation Field offers experimental courses for undergraduate majors in industrial design, product design, visual communication design (including digital media design) and environmental design, as well as graduate students in interaction design, artificial intelligence and data design, innovative design and entrepreneurship, etc. in the College of Design and Innovation of Tongji University. It also supports major events of scientific research, social service, international exchange, student competitions and Shanghai Design Week etc. The centre has become one of the major experimental teaching centres with the broadest professional coverage, most competitive and internationalized teaching capacity in the field of art and design in China. In the past two years, the centre has received nearly 4,600 students participating in experiments with a total of more than 55,000 hours and more than 60 open activities and workshops, and counts more than 100 international and domestic government, industry, academic and research group visits including Wan Gang (vice chairman of the CPPCC), Lu Yongxiang (former vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee), Yuan Guiren (former minister of education), Ying Yong (mayor of Shanghai), Weng Tiehui (vice minister of education), Lu Xin  (former vice minister of education), Yu Shaoliang, Weng Zuliang and Zhuge Yujie (members of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Committee of the CPC), Chen Qun (vice mayor of Shanghai), Yang Xianjin (vice governor of Fujian Province) among other leaders.

Structure Plan of the Innovation Field