On April 28, 2019, Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, DeputySecretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of UN-Habitat,visited Tongji University with her delegation and held talks with Prof. Fang Shouen,the Secretary of the Party Committee of Tongji University. The two sidesexchanged views on issues such as sustainable urban development, the World CityReport, UN-Habitat-Shanghai Municipal Government-Tongji University SustainableUrban Development Research & Training Center.

Prof. Fang presenting a Tongji Souvenir to Ms. Sharif 

Duringthe talks, Prof. Fang extended a warm welcome to Ms. Sharif and her colleaguesfrom UN-Habitat. He reviewed the long history of the partnership of UN-Habitatand Tongji University as well as the outstanding achievements, and hasexpressed the wish to step up the cooperation between the two sides. Heemphasized that in terms of discipline construction, Tongji University hasfirst-class environmental discipline and urban planning discipline in China,and in promoting sustainable development education, Tongji University alsoplays the leading role among colleges and universities in our country. It is expectedthat both sides will strengthen the cooperation in the field of environment andsustainable development, promote research and technology on related topics and,advance environmental and human settlement infrastructure construction so as tocontribute to the realization of the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Prof. Fang Shouen holding talks with Ms. Sharif, Executive Directorof UN-Habitat

Later, Ms. Sharif visited the MingjingBuilding of the School of Environmental Science and Engineering. Jianxiong Liu,the Secretary of the Party Committee of College ofEnvironmental Science and Engineering and Fengting Li, Executive Vice Dean of College of EnvironmentalScience and Engineering, introduced to Ms. Sharif the outstanding achievements indiscipline construction, South-South cooperation and sustainable developmenteducation. Ms. Sharif fully affirmed the achievements of the college and hopedthat the two sides could strengthen and expand cooperation in the future.

Ms. Sharif andher party visiting the Mingjing Building of the College of EnvironmentalScience and Engineering 

Ms. Sharif alsointeracted in calligraphy activity with more than 50 Chinese and foreignstudents majoring in environmental science and environmental engineering, andsent messages to young people to care about the world, value education, studyhard in Tongji University, and by making the most of their knowledge, contributeto the environment and sustainable development when graduated.

Ms. Sharif enjoying interactivecalligraphy games with students 

In recent years,Tongji University has maintained close cooperative relationship withUN-Habitat. In addition to multi-level visits, important talks andinternational academic exchanges, a number of substantive and iconic results intraining and scientific research have also been achieved.