The House of the Danish Industry Foundation in Beijing will be a base for researchers as well as Danish and Chinese students when the Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research (SDC) moves into the building. Businesses and institutions from both countries will also be involved in activities in the building, providing Danish businesses with a special point of access to the large Chinese market.

SDC is the largest Danish education and research venture outside Denmark to date, and the House of the Danish Industry Foundation is a unique chance to strengthen the Sino-Danish university partnership.

“China is a strategically important country for Denmark – not least in the fields of research, education and innovation. This is a new and inspiring setting for Danish and Chinese researchers and students to meet and learn and develop good ideas. It opens up new horizons for both students and businesses in Denmark,” says Minister for Higher Education and Science Søren Pind.

Since the launch by SDC of its first MSc degree programmes in 2012, a total of 150 students have been admitted a year, including 50 from Danish universities. The programme gives Danish and Chinese businesses access to graduates from both countries with an international outlook and a strong multicultural understanding combined with high levels of scientific expertise.

Important ties between China and Denmark

The 11,000 m2 building makes it possible for SDC to gather its teaching and research activities under one roof.

“The House of the Danish Industry Foundation has been designed on the background of the Danish design tradition to create an inspiring base for the cooperation between Chinese and Danish universities which offers modern research and teaching facilities and symbolises the important ties between China and Denmark,” says Chairman of the Board of the House of the Danish Industry Foundation Sten Scheibye.

The foundation has granted a total of DKK 99 million for the construction of the building, which is based on a project proposal from the Danish architects Lundgaard & Tranberg Arkitekter and COWI.

A clearly Danish building

Opening the doors of a Danish building in China is an important milestone. The facility will be full of life –  a vibrant showcase for Danish businesses and Danish architecture.

“The cooperation between China and Denmark in the fields of education and research is truly unique, and the new building is a perfect symbol of the key role played by SDC as the institutional driver of this cooperation. We’re proud to have succeeded – in the space of just a few years – in developing SDC into one of the Chinese government’s preferred cooperation models. This fantastic house is clearly Danish, but SDC is neither Danish nor Chinese. It’s a partnership which will bring new and unique opportunities for both countries in future, says Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen, the Danish executive director of SDC.

Further information: Executive Director Lauritz B. Holm-Nielsen, SDC, mobile: +45 2338 2126, email: lhn@au.dk

Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research

The Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research (SDC) is a strategic education and research partnership between Denmark and China.

Denmark and China have established SDC to create value for both countries through knowledge cooperation and to create the best possible framework for students, researchers and teachers to establish long-term and strong international networks. SDC is neither Danish nor Chinese. It is a Sino-Danish partnership.