LONDON, July 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University's first phase of the new South Campus was officially opened in a ceremony as part of the University's 10th anniversary celebrations.
The new South Campus was designed by international architects BDP with the intention of supporting XJTLU's student population to grow to 15,000. Its concept is based on the curved architectural style of Suzhou's famous gardens and when fully completed by 2018 will feature a central star-shaped lake.
A number of the day's high-profile guests praised XJTLU's infrastructural development over the past decade, including Professor Janet Beer, vice-chancellor of the University of Liverpool, stating "We are excited to see the completion of South Campus which will provide even more state-of-the-art facilities across a range of subjects, and enhance the student experience at XJTLU still further."
Professor Qinghuang Zhang, vice president of Xi'an Jiaotong University, also added that the South Campus enabled a "modern, international campus" to take shape.
The South Campus will house a number of initiatives that were also officially opened as part of the day's celebrations.
These include the International Technology Transfer Centre and International Innovation Hub, which will lead the University's knowledge exchange activities and industry collaboration.
Professor Andre Brown, vice president at XJTLU, outlined the activities of the ITTC and IIH, which include offering XJTLU's expertise and facilities to potential partners in the areas of research, development and innovation.
"Together the IIH and ITTC show that XJTLU is committed to applying its research talent, its expertise and its facilities for the greater good. Together they reflect the optimism and energy that is driving the continued growth and wider contribution of this University to local, regional and international developments," he said.
An agreement was also signed between XJTLU and Suzhou Dushu Lake Entrepreneurship University, which will see the two collaborate in various areas including the development of innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities.
In a separate ceremony, XJTLU's collaboration with Gold Finance, a leading third-party financial services provider, to create the XJTLU-GF Centre and the School of Film and Television Arts was also honoured.
The XJTLU-GF Centre will disseminate leading-edge knowledge through its teaching, training and interdisciplinary scholarships, while the School of Film and Television Arts mixes digital media arts and film and television production and technology with performance and acting.
