Dr. Yi Deng, Dean of College of Computing & Informatics (CCI), Drexel and Professor Xia Lin, Head of Information Science Department & International Programs visited ShanghaiTech on April 7th and met with Dr. Lin Gao (Director of President Office), Yu Zhou (Vice Dean of SIST), Professor Jingyi Yu and other academic representatives.
Professor Jingyi Yu made a thorough introduction of ShanghaiTech and SIST’s development, especially the school’s seven research centers, followed by Dean Yi Deng’s presentation of “Information and Technology in 21st Century Economy.” Dean Deng said “information” was now as important as “technology,” and the fundamental focus had changed from IT to I & T, from infrastructure/tools to solutions and innovations. Every industry is in an information age, which brings with it changing talent demands and a changing research landscape. He emphasized that Interdisciplinary collaboration was crucial in this era of information.
The SIST professors also exchanged and discussed our school’s mission and vision with the visitors, who spoke highly of ShanghaiTech’s new running models from which students benefit greatly in improving communication and independent thinking skills. Dr. Dean introduced Drexel’s unique CO-OP (Cooperative Education) model of education, and explained how “learning by doing” allowed students to fully know what they really want to achieve.
While visiting the VR lab, both Dr. Deng and Dr. Liu expressed the willingness to explore collaboration between Drexel and ShanghaiTech in new aspects of research, faculty training and academic symposiums in the future.
