On March 15, 2024, the launch meeting of the "50 Plan" for the International Accreditation of Chinese University Programs and the German ASIIN Accreditation was held online in the Zoom conference hall. The event was guided by the Center for School Planning and Construction Development of the Ministry of Education (MoE), hosted by the German ASIIN Accreditation Association and the Sino-German Alliance for International Cooperation in Applied Science Universities, and organized by the Secretariat of the Sino-German Innovation Consortium for Production-Education-Research-Application, Shanghai University of Engineering and Science, and the European Higher Education Accreditation Research and Consulting Service Center. Mr. Zhimin, Liu, Director of the Innovation Development Department of the Center for School Planning and Construction Development of the Ministry of Education (MoE), Professor Klaus Kreulich, President of the German ASIIN Accreditation Association, Professor Iring Wasser from the Technical University of Munich, Mr. Rainer Arnold, ASIIN Project Coordinator, Professor Tao Yu, President of the Sino-German Alliance for International Cooperation in Applied Science Universities and President of Shanghai University of Engineering and Science, and nearly 200 representatives from over 50 universities across the country attended the meeting. Professor Jiesheng Liu, the President of Guangzhou Huali College was invited to attend the meeting. The Deans and faculty representatives from the Academic Affairs Office and the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, as well as Professor Shuze Tang, the Dean of International School, and student counselors and foreign affairs staff Ms. Wei Xu and Mr. Yinan Du, represented the International School attended the meeting.

President Jiesheng Liu leads representatives from the teaching and administration affairs, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Institute, and International School to attend the conference

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Ming Tang, Secretary-General of the Sino-German Innovation Consortium for Production-Education-Research-Application. In his speech, Professor Klaus Kreulich, President of the German ASIIN Accreditation Association, expressed deep gratitude to the Chinese universities for their recognition of the ASIIN Accreditation Association. He provided an overview of the ASIIN accreditation to the participants and warmly invited Chinese universities to take part in the accreditation process.

Tang Ming hosts a Zoom online conference in Shanghai

Professor Klaus Kreulich, Chairman of the German ASIIN accreditation association, addresses the audience

Professor Tao Yu, President of the Sino-German Alliance for International Cooperation in Applied Science Universities and President of Shanghai University of Engineering and Science, and Professor Iring Wasser from the Technical University of Munich delivered speeches respectively. President Yu thanked the German ASIIN Accreditation Association and the Sino-German Alliance for International Cooperation in Applied Science Universities for their trust and the support from the Center for School Planning and Construction Development of the Ministry of Education. He briefly introduced the international accreditation status of the disciplines and programs at Shanghai University of Engineering and Science.

Professor Tao Yu, President of Shanghai Engineering Technology University, speaks to the attendees

 Professor Iring Wasser from Munich University of Applied Sciences, Germany, addresses the audience

Professor Jingmin Cai, Secretary of the Party Committee of Anhui University, Professor Hua Wang, President of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Professor Bing Yi, President of Hunan Institute of Engineering, and others, successively introduced the ASIIN accreditation work at their respective universities.

Professor Jingmin Cai, Secretary of the Party Committee of Anhui University, shares experiences on ASIIN certification

Mr. Rainer Arnold, Project Coordinator of the German ASIIN Accreditation Association, provided a detailed introduction to the ASIIN accreditation process and specific implementation plan for the Chinese universities. Rainer elaborated on the specific work schedule for the upcoming tasks.

Mr. Rainer Arnold, project coordinator at the German ASIIN accreditation association, introduces the daily schedule

Finally, Zhimin Liu, Director of the Innovation Development Department of the Center for School Planning and Construction Development of the Ministry of Education (MoE) delivered a concluding speech. Director Liu thanked all universities both online and offline for witnessing the launch of the first batch of ASIIN accreditation work under the "50 Plan" for the international accreditation of Chinese university programs. Director Liu welcomed everyone to actively contact the Sino-German ASIIN Accreditation Research and Consulting Service Center, where Mr. Tenggang Xu would assist in answering questions and addressing concerns.

Mr. Zhimin Liu, Director of the Innovation Development Department at the Chinese Ministry of Education's School Planning Construction Development Center, provided conclusion remarks.

After the online meeting, President Jiesheng Liu convened a meeting with the on-site representatives of the school. At the meeting, President Liu emphasized that establishing a "universal" quality assurance system on an international scale is the development trend of higher education today. The accreditation of future engineer qualifications and engineering education is becoming globalized. The accreditation system is an important driver for improving educational standards, quality, and brand,

President Jiesheng Liu held an on-site meeting after the Zoom on-line ASIIN conference

as well as expanding employment opportunities for students. Professional education accreditation, especially international engineering education accreditation, is a symbol of university brand, an important indicator of internationalization of education, and a powerful booster for promoting the high-quality development of the school's educational endeavors. Being selected for the ASIIN accreditation under the "50 Plan" in 2024 is a rare opportunity to promote the development of Guangzhou Huali College. Despite the many challenges ahead, achieving the goal of "promoting construction through accreditation" is possible if everyone works together. President  Jiesheng Liu convened a meeting

Introduction of ASIIN

ASIIN (German Accreditation Agency for Study Programs in Engineering, Informatics, Natural Sciences and Mathematics) is the German accreditation agency for engineering, information science, natural science, and mathematics study programs. ASIIN accreditation is the most authoritative accreditation for natural and engineering disciplines in Germany, a prestigious international degree accreditation agency, a preparatory member of the Washington Accord for international engineering education degree accreditation, and a founder and member of the European Engineering Education Program degree accreditation system. ASIIN has accredited 6,392 programs from 355 universities in 63 countries.

ASIIN Professional Accreditation Process

1. Self-assessment report, 2. Preliminary review of form, 3. Survey for appraisers/accreditation experts, 4. On-site visit, accreditation report, 5. Attitude of the accredited university towards the accreditation report, 6. Final opinion of the evaluation experts, 7. Review by the professional committee, 8. Decision by the accreditation committee.

Accreditation Results:

1. Unconditional pass, valid for 5 years; 2. Conditional pass, with a deadline for submission of materials and improvement plans; 3. Termination (maximum duration of 18 months); 4. Final rejection.

Website: http://www.asiin-ev.de/pages/en/asiin-e.-v.php

Introduction to the "Sino-German Alliance for International Cooperation in Applied Science Universities Action Plan"

The "Sino-German Alliance for International Cooperation in Applied Science Universities Action Plan," also known as the "50 Plan," is a professional accreditation plan for the period 2023-2025, which was released by the Secretariat of the Sino-German Innovation Consortium for Production-Education-Research-Application at the Sino-German Cooperation Conference 2023 held at Shanghai University of Engineering and Science on October 14, 2023. The plan aims to select 10 universities as professional accreditation universities, 20 universities as professional accreditation cultivation universities, and 20 universities as professional accreditation observer universities, totaling 50, hence the "50 Plan."

Introduction to the Sino-German Alliance for International Cooperation in Applied Science Universities

The Sino-German Alliance for International Cooperation in Applied Science Universities (CDHIK) is a consortium jointly initiated by the Center for School Planning and Construction Development of the Ministry of Education, the German Association for the Promotion of Education and Science and Technology, Shanghai University of Engineering and Science, and the Secretariat of the Sino-German Innovation Consortium for Production-Education-Research-Application in October 2022. Based on the principles of equality, mutual benefit, resource sharing, win-win cooperation, and common development, the alliance (Sino-German Innovation Consortium for Production-Education-Research-Application) has its secretariat located at the Sino-German Industrial Education Development Research Institute of Shanghai University of Engineering and Science. The President of the alliance is Professor Yu Tao, President of Shanghai University of Engineering and Science.

Written and photo by Wei Xu

English version by Lin Li

Revised by SM Hashmi

Approved by Shuze Tang