09 Feb 2026
Recently, Professor Marc Aurel Schnabel, Dean of the Design School at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, and Dr Cheng Zhang, Associate Dean for Research, led a school delegation to visit seven government and enterprise partners in Suzhou. The visit aimed to explore research collaboration opportunities for 2026, deepen partnerships with local authorities and industry leaders, and identify new pathways for integrating research innovation with practical implementation.
The visits not only strengthened the School’s connection with Suzhou’s government and enterprise sectors but also laid a solid foundation for future research. By focusing on innovation, urban renewal, and design practice, the School of Design aims to foster multi-party collaborations that drive new breakthroughs in Suzhou’s urban development.
The delegation also included Professor Bing Chen, Head of the Department of Urban Planning and Design; Dr Juan Carlos Dall'Asta, Head of the Department of Architecture; Xuelan Wang, Business Development Officer; Emanuela Corti from the Department of Industrial Design; as well as Yang Song and Ines Essen from the Department of Architecture.
Suzhou Industrial Park Planning and Design Committee
At the SIP Administrative Committee, the team held in-depth discussions with Director Feng Qian regarding future planning and urban renewal directions for the park, exploring the School of Design’s potential contributions to urban development strategies.
Gusu District Housing and Urban-Rural Development Committee
The delegation met with Ms. Yajie Guo, Head of the Renewal Department, to discuss the application of innovative technologies in traditional architectural preservation and garden craftsmanship. During the meeting, Yang Song presented research on VR-assisted assembly for ancient structures, while a student of Dr. Iasef Md Rian reported on using 3D printing for garden window lattices (hua-chuang). Moving forward, the School expects to collaborate with the Gusu District Government to showcase these technologies at the Suzhou Planning Exhibition Hall.
Tus-Design Group Co., Ltd.
Discussions with Vice Chairwoman Ms. Shuang Cai focused on architectural talent cultivation and curriculum collaboration. The two parties explored the possibility of hosting student classes and exhibitions at the Tus-Design Building. Following the meeting, Ms. Cai led the team on a tour of the group’s exhibition hall.
Suzhou Industrial Park Urban Renewal Co., Ltd.
Deputy General Manager Ms. Haixia Liu welcomed the delegation to the company’s offices at SIP Southern Shore (Nan'an Xindi) and showcased their latest project models. Both parties discussed collaborative directions for urban reconstruction and renewal, specifically exploring opportunities within the development of low-altitude economy industrial parks.
CCDI Exploration & Design Consultant Co., Ltd.
Vice President Mr. Zhuoyu Wang led the delegation on a tour of CCDI Suzhou’s rooftop gardens and horticultural studios. During the exchange, Mr. Wang presented CCDI’s past and current projects, while Dr. Cheng Zhang introduced the School’s research directions. The two sides discussed collaboration in architectural design and urban planning, with plans to launch joint projects in 2026.
Zhongyifeng Construction Group Co., Ltd.
Vice President Mr. Jianwei Huang shared the company’s history and analyzed current trends in the construction industry. He expressed strong interest in investing in and collaborating on emerging construction technologies, hoping to establish "industry-university-research" partnerships with the School to promote the integration of construction technology and design practice.
BES Branding
Chairwoman Ms. Baihui shared the company’s recent projects and operational philosophy. She expressed a strong desire to collaborate on design talent cultivation, comprehensive skill enhancement, and the integration of teaching with practice. She also presented two potential projects for collaboration before leading a tour of the company’s office.
Looking ahead, the School of Design will continue to serve as a bridge between academia and practice, contributing to design innovation and sustainable development in Suzhou and the wider region.
09 Feb 2026