By The Current Staff

Penn’s already sterling reputation as one of the most internationally focused universities in the nation just got even stronger.

President Amy Gutmann announced early this month that Penn would expand its existing academic and research collaborations with two of the most prestigious universities in China.

An expanded collaboration with Tsinghua University in Beijing will see the two schools launch a joint research project under the leadership of Penn’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, as well as strengthen other joint efforts in business, law and other fields.

“It is an honor to be here today with Tsinghua University President Gu Binglin as we agree to enhance the longstanding and important academic relationship between our two great institutions,” Gutmann said during an event announcing the partnership. “For many years, Penn and Tsinghua University have collaborated on several exciting projects, and I am delighted to extend this important partnership into new areas of academic and research endeavor.”

The partnership agreement also includes a plan for the schools to co-sponsor a conference on undergraduate education and develop possible new collaborations between Penn Law and Wharton and their colleagues at Tsinghua.

Founded in 1911, Tsinghua University is regarded as one of China’s most prestigious. It has 14 schools and 56 departments, and more than 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Penn and Tsinghua have successfully collaborated on the Penn-Tsinghua T.C. Chan Center, a partnership focused on creating healthier, productive, energy efficient building strategies and high-performance, sustainable buildings.

Gutmann also announced expanded cooperation with Shanghai Jiao Tong University. This agreement calls for the two universities to work together in the field of regenerative medicine, create a joint Center of Excellence in Medical Imaging and possibly co-host a conference on International Financial Market Regulation.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University is one of China’s oldest universities, having been founded in 1896. It has 20 academic schools on six campuses, enrolling 38,000 full-time students pursuing undergraduate, master and doctoral degrees.

Originally published Jan. 22, 2009