In 2010, 86 people from newly established Aalto University took the Trans-Siberian train from Helsinki to Shanghai to visit Tongji University, World Expo 2010 and to celebrate the opening of Aalto-Tongji Design Factory. Inspired by our Finnish friends, Tongji students, professors, and students from universities of Excellent Engineer Education Union and Sino-Finnish Centre’s staff took the train from Beijing to Helsinki and co-created another unforgettable adventure on train, in Russia and Finland!
On the morning of May 4th, the students, professors and Sino-Finnish Centre’s staff gathered in the square of Beijing Railway Station to have the launch ceremony. Dr. Li Xin, Vice President of Tongji University, Mr. Lars Backstrom, Ambassador of Finland in China and officers from Youth League of China came and sent their best wishes to Tongji on Tracks. It is expected that the project could be a bridge of cultural and academic exchange between Chinese and European students. With their kind remind of safety, all the participants boarded on the train at 7:45.
Soon after the train left Beijing, the other passengers, the conductors and even the waiters in the dining car started to notice there was a special group of young and vibrant passengers on the train. Tongji on Tracks was more than a trip to the students. It is an academic adventure with workshops and assignments which made the students’ life even busier than that on campus. Surrounded by the beautiful scenery on the way, the students were energetic and full of passion on their study and recording the experience by their cameras.
After 6 days hard work and unique train-life experience, Tongji on Tracks arrived in Moscow. The participants of Tongji on Tracks visited Moscow State University guided by Chinese and Russian students in Moscow. After 6 days life with bread and instant noodle on the train, the students couldn’t help being excited when see the food in the welcoming ceremony prepared by Education Department of Chinese Embassy in Russia and Chinese Students Union in Russia in the evening.
On the morning of May 10th, Tongji on Tracks arrived in Saint Petersburg. The participants visited Saint Petersburg State Polytechnical University and shared information with Russian students.
On the afternoon of May 10th, Tongji on Tracks Finally arrived in the destination. Mr. Huang Xing, Chinese Ambassador in Finland, Ms. Tuula Teeri, the president of Aalto University, Mr Wu Jiang, the vice president of Tongji University, Ms Yang Mianmian, President of Haier Group and the students from Aalto University prepared a warm welcoming ceremony for all the Tongji on Tracks participants and also opened the Chinese Week at Aalto.
During the week in Helsinki, Tongji on Tracks had a series of cultural and educational exchange programs. May 11th, Tongji on Tracks participated in the MOA exhibition to show the outcomes of the workshops on the way to Helsinki. A lot of visitors stopped their steps and showed huge interest on the workshops and the experience all the way from China to Finland. The students answered the questions and were highly praised by the visitors for their capacity and courage.
On May 13th, Tongji on Tracks had a workshop named “Campus Bicycle” in Aalto Design Factory. Prof. Kalevi Ekman, the Supervisor of design factory introduced the background of the workshop, and divided the students into several groups with specific topics. After the heated discussion, each group had an opportunity to present their solution for each topic.
On May 14th, Tongji Day, the students had a workshop on designing a China Pavilion for the World Design Capital 2012 in Helsinki. Mr. Pekka Timonen told the students he was impressed by the Chinese elements combined in the design by the students. Afterwards, the Tongji on Tracks students were honored as Student Ambassador of WDC 2012.
Although the participants faced lots of difficulties, all the participants had an unforgettable memory and the exchange experience. Among the Chinese and Finnish students, more and more are planning to apply for their exchange semester in either Aalto or Tongji in the near future. The seeds are well planted and more fruits are expected.
The goal of Tongji on Tracks and Tongji in Helsinki is to promote Sino-Finnish friendship in higher education while providing extraordinary interdisciplinary learning experiences for its participants and stakeholders from both countries. The Trans-Siberian train journey consisted of innovative lectures, workshops and other co-creational activities between students and university faculty. The adventure continued in Finland by getting familiar with Finnish culture, nature and people through social events, Master of Arts 2011 exhibition, company excursions and other recreational activities.
At the same time of Tongji on Tracks, 10 Tongji professors/lectures were selected and dispatched to Aalto for the first pedagogical training program. This training program is one pilot for the long-term Sino-Finnish faculty/staff training cooperation.
More information about ToT will be published soon in a form of a book, which could be purchased in an affordable price to support Sino Finnish Centre’s activities!
