In 1999, the education ministers of China and Germany jointly signed a cooperation agreement, laying the cornerstone for the collaborative educational path between Tsinghua University and RWTH Aachen University. In 2001, the Tsinghua-Aachen Double Degree Program was officially launched, marking Tsinghua's first joint dual-degree initiative at the graduate level and heralding a new chapter in deep Sino-German higher education cooperation. In 2026, to celebrate the program's 25th anniversary, we are hosting this special event to commemorate a quarter-century of dedicated effort, to envision the future of international talent cultivation, and to build new bridges for scientific, technological, and cultural exchange between China and Germany.
A quarter-century of perseverance has yielded a bounty of achievements. From its origins in 2001 with the Departments of Automotive Engineering and Industrial Engineering, the program has expanded to cover four major fields: Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Vehicle and Mobility Engineering, and Energy and Power Engineering, involving multiple departments within Tsinghua's School of Mechanical Engineering and the Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School. The initial cohort of 27 Tsinghua students who traveled to Aachen has grown to a total of over 800 highly qualified dual-degree graduates. This growth testifies to the unwavering commitment of both universities to cultivating international talent. Since its inception, the program has adhered to the core principles of mutual credit recognition, joint cultivation, and dual-degree conferral. It broadens academic horizons through challenging coursework, hones research skills via thesis projects, strengthens engineering practice with internships at German companies, and fosters communication through all-English instruction. Studying and exploring side-by-side, Chinese and German students develop both a global perspective and professional expertise, becoming a formidable force in Sino-German technological exchange.
For a quarter-century, we have walked hand-in-hand, passing the torch from one generation to the next. The program has become an "extended bond," opening not only a window for Sino-German university cooperation but also a vast platform for exchange. Over these 25 years, the two universities have exchanged 3-5 faculty members annually for teaching and research, creating a "snowball effect" that fosters a virtuous cycle of academic development. The number of English-taught courses at Tsinghua grew from 11 in 2001 to 63 in 2018, with exemplary courses from departments like Vehicle and Mobility, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Energy and Power setting a standard for international curriculum development. In 2014, the "Joint International Laboratory for Innovative Design and Manufacturing of Advanced Mechanical Systems" was inaugurated, and RWTH Aachen established the "RWTH-Tsinghua Research Fellowships," signaling an expansion of the partnership from talent cultivation to scientific innovation, and an upgrade from joint course development to a comprehensive strategic alliance.
A quarter-century has seen seeds of spring blossom into autumn fruits, with graduates flourishing far and wide. Alumni of the program have become pillars of the scientific, technological, and industrial sectors in China, Germany, and across the globe. Among them are pioneering entrepreneurs at the forefront of innovation, dedicated academics in higher education, and industry leaders driving transformation. Some distinguished alumni have chosen to put down roots in China, living and working here as grassroots ambassadors of Sino-German cultural fusion. The cross-border connections among our alumni ensure that the flame of this partnership continues to burn brightly.
On April 23, 2026, the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Tsinghua-Aachen Double Degree Program will be held at Tsinghua University. Leaders from both universities, program founders, senior faculty, alumni from home and abroad, and representatives from partner enterprises will gather on the Tsinghua campus. Through a series of activities, we will look back on 25 years of cooperation, share experiences in talent cultivation, and discuss future directions. Together, we will explore how to further deepen Sino-German university collaboration, pioneer new models of university-enterprise cooperation, and expand the dimensions of talent development, injecting enduring vitality into our partnership.
From the banks of the Rhine to the gardens of Tsinghua, from our launch in 2001 to this new chapter in 2026, our original commitment to partnership remains unchanged, and the torch of international cooperation continues to be passed down. We cordially invite all old and new friends connected to the Tsinghua-Aachen Double Degree Program to return to the Tsinghua campus. Let us reunite, reminisce about the past, and envision the future. Together, we will witness this exemplary model of Sino-German higher education cooperation and embark on the next 25-year journey.
Date: April 23, 2026
Venue: Tsinghua University Campus
Participants: Alumni of the Tsinghua-Aachen Double Degree Program from home and abroad, faculty and students from both universities, representatives from partner organizations and enterprises, and colleagues in Sino-German educational exchange.
Contact: Jiang Zihan, 010-62782343
