A high-level delegation from Nanjing University (NJU), led by Professor Tan Zhemin, President of NJU and Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, visited IIASA to discuss opportunities for strengthening scientific cooperation and advancing joint research on global challenges.
The delegation was hosted at IIASA by Director General Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber and Deputy Director General Karen Lips. The visit provided an opportunity for leadership and representatives from both institutions to exchange perspectives on scientific cooperation, talent development and future collaboration.
IIASA has a long-standing relationship with the Chinese scientific community, built on decades of collaboration in fields including energy, climate change, environmental sustainability, biodiversity, and land-use systems. In recent years, engagement between IIASA and China has continued to strengthen through joint research initiatives, researcher exchanges, co-authored scientific publications, and participation in IIASA’s education, training, and capacity-building activities.
Representatives of NJU provided IIASA with an overview of the university’s history and its strong research capabilities in atmospheric sciences, environmental science, and Earth system science. Presenting to the delegation on their current research activities, IIASA researchers Gui-Ying Cao, Edward Byers, Yazhen Wu, and Rong Tang showcased the breadth and interdisciplinary nature of IIASA’s work. The presentations demonstrated how IIASA’s systems analysis can help address complex, interconnected challenges by providing integrated insights to support evidence-based decision making.
Building on these exchanges, representatives from both IIASA and NJU explored areas of shared scientific interest and complementary expertise. Discussions covered a range of opportunities for closer cooperation in research, scientific exchange, and academic engagement, highlighting the strong potential for future joint initiatives and deeper institutional collaboration.
The visit reaffirmed the strong and continued relationship between Chinese scientific institutions and IIASA. As a follow-up to the visit, the two institutions will explore mechanisms to formalize collaboration, laying the foundation for a closer and more enduring partnership.
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