SDC provides a strong platform for collaboration between Danish and Chinese research and learning environments within selected areas. In the coming years, SDC will be one of the main gateways for collaborations on research and education between Denmark and China.

Master’s and PhD training programmes are developed in close interaction with the selected research areas. When SDC is fully operational it will offer high quality Master’s programmes to 300 Master’s students as well as PhD training programmes to 75 PhD students.

History

In 2008, the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation published its Knowledge-based Strategy for Collaboration between Denmark and China in the fields of Research, Education and Knowledge. Based on a series of negotiations during 2008, the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation and Danish Universities decided to develop a Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research (SDC) in partnership with the Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (GUCAS).The Center will be located at GUCAS’ future Yanqihu Campus. The Sino-Danish Center will move into its new facilities House of the Danish Industry Foundation in 2013.

Education and Research

SDC gathers all Danish universities in a joint project with the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Graduate University (GUCAS). By uniting researchers from nine different institutions and two different countries SDC aims at breaking new ground in scientific research and developing cutting edge Master's education. SDC MSc programmes are based on the principles of research-based education, fusing Danish and Chinese research with modern teaching and learning methods. The programmes are accredited in Denmark and China. Furthermore, SDC collaborates with leading Danish companies in China on internship programmes and thesis projects. All in all, a degree from SDC a significant step towards an international career either in research or in a Danish company.

Research at SDC is organized around five general themes:

• Water and Environment
• Sustainable Energy
• Nanoscience
• Life Sciences
• Social Sciences

Four MSc programmes in 2012

SDC will launch its first MSc programmes in September 2012. The programmes are:

• Water and Environment
• Neuroscience and Neuroimaging
• Public Management and Social Development
• Innovation Management

All programmes are taught in English by Danish and Chinese researchers. The teaching will take place in Beijing. Upon fulfillment of the programme, students will receive a double degree - one from a Danish University and one from GUCAS.

Vision

• Achieve excellence in graduate education and research by combining the best competences, teaching traditions and research environments in the two countries.
• Increase mobility of students, researchers and scientific personnel between Denmark and China.
• Enhance Sino-Danish scientific and technological collaboration by creating a platform for joint education and research activities.
• Strengthen linkages between research, educational establishments and private companies in Denmark and China. 
• Develop and commercialize new knowledge and technology to the benefit of both countries with due respect to intellectual property rights. 
• Increase networking and cultural understanding between Denmark and China.
• Facilitate mutually beneficial interaction between universities and private companies.

International Students

All programmes in SDC will be taught in English by Danish and Chinese researchers. The teaching will take place in Beijing. Upon fulfillment of the programme, you will receive a double degree - one from a Danish University and one from GUCAS.

(Pictures of the SDC campus: Lundgaard & Tranberg/COWI)