International Cooperation on Education for Sustainable Development

International Exchanges and Cooperation

In 2002, Tongji University and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) jointly established the UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development (IESD).

Tongji University takes the lead in China’s development of clean energy cars.

This is a platform for Tongji University to integrate disciplines and subjects with the underlying theme of sustainable development. This concept has now been fully incorporated with other subjects, such as environmental laws, transportation, design and creation, construction, and modern agriculture. These minor, sustainability-oriented programs are open to all students.

More important, the IESD has become an international medium for sustainable development education. Of the 350 or so students from more than 50 countries that have received master and doctorate degrees in environmental management and environmental engineering, 70 percent are from developing countries.

The institute also runs short-term training courses for targeted groups. One successful example is the Asia-Pacific Leadership Programme on Environment for Sustainable Development (APLP), which started in 2004. The week-long training course is designed for officials in government departments of environment, agriculture, forestry, and foreign affairs in Asia-Pacific countries. Their awareness of environmental issues will undoubtedly reinforce the implementation and practice of related policies.