NGlobal Magazin 01-2010

The Clausthal University of Technology is well-known in China

Niedersachsen Global www.nglobal.de 48 Clusters More and more universities are citing famous alumni to attract new students. When Clausthal University of Technology (TU) wanted to place an advertisement featuring three of its most renowned graduates, the TU had to ask for approval from the Chinese Minis- try of Sciences and Technology in Beijing. A few days later the Minister gladly faxed his consent. Professor Dr.-Ing. Wan Gang, Minister of Research in the Middle Kingdom since 2007, has indeed acquired a PhD from the Institute for Mechanical Engineering in Clausthal. Tracks from Beijing to the Oberharz engineering hot- bed are still short; for his PhD supervisor, Prof. Peter Dietz, the Minister is still available for a chat on his mobile phone. Wan Gang was born in 1952 in the metropolis of Shanghai. After having graduated as a mechanical engineer from the reputable Tongji Uni- by Christian Ernst versity, he came to Germany, that is to the Clausthal University of Technology. From 1985 until 1990 the present-day minister was a research associate at TU whilst working on his PhD on propulsion technolo- gies. “He was very well organized and thanks to his quick grasp of things he was able to adapt quickly to the ways in which knowledge is passed on in Germa- ny,” recalls his PhD supervisor Prof. Dietz. Keeping in Touch Having received his doctorate, Prof. Wan Gang moved on to work in the research and development sec- tion at Audi AG for ten years. This did not blemish his good relations with Clausthal TU. He upheld his teaching commitment at TU and also became the driving force for an intense cooperation between the school and Tongji University in Shanghai. In 2001 he followed a call by his alma mater to build a depart- ment for automotive technology. In 2004 the reputa- ble scientist was named President of Tongji University. A few months later, to honour his contributions to Si- no-German cooperation, he was awarded the Nieder- sachsen Cross of Merit with ribbon by Prime Minister Christian Wulff. Following his appointment as Chinese Minister for Re- search, the “German Chinese” statesman announced his intention to create an awareness for sustainable and innovative development in China. On 1 May the World Exhibition will open its doors in Shanghai. Min- ister Wan Gang, who is a member of the Zhigong and not of the Communist Party, would then like to see a fair number of hydrogen-powered cars in the streets of the People’s Republic, the aim being to save petrol and thereby reduce the country’s dependence from oil imports in the long term. The China Link Among German universities, Clausthal University of Technology  draws the largest number of Chinese students. For Beijing Minister  of Research Wan Gang, Clausthal has served as a stepping stone  to a brilliant career. Many of his compatriots have been flocking to  the springboard in the Harz mountains ever since.  Photo: TU Clausthal Showing the way: Wan Gang, Minister of Science and Technology of China was once a student in Clausthal. 607Chinese are currently enrolled at Clausthal TU, one in five students comes from the Far East.