The Campus Opening Ceremony for Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences (hereinafter referred to as “BiUH”) was held grandly in the Yangpu Economic Development Zone, Danzhou.
The guests attending this ceremony include:
Ms. CUI Ying, Deputy Director of the Education Department of Hainan Province; Mr. ZHANG Huawei, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Danzhou Municipal Committee and Executive Vice Mayor of the Danzhou Municipal People’s Government; Mr. LIN Guangming, Chief Planner of the Administrative Committee of Yangpu Economic Development Zone; Mr. YANG Yongfei, Secretary of the CPC Danzhou Municipal Education Bureau Committee and Director of the Danzhou Municipal Education Bureau; Ms. GUAN Jian, Member of the CPC Danzhou Municipal Education Bureau Committee and Chief Education Inspector of the Danzhou Municipal People’s Government; Mr. HUANG Yongping, Assistant General Manager of Yangpu Holdings and Member of the Board of Trustees of BiUH; Mr. ZHAO Lei, Deputy Director of the Management Committee of Hainan Laocheng Technology Park; Ms. WANG Yang, Deputy Director of the Administration Bureau of Hainan Lingshui Li’an International Education Innovation Pilot Zone; Mr. FU Liucai, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Hainan Normal University; Dr. BI Xin, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Chief Digital Officer, and Director of the Centre for Knowledge and Information at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University; Mr. WU Qiang, Vice President of Finance of Hainan Lausanne Tourism University; Prof. Dr. Michael Stricker, General Manager of Hainan Bike Education Development Co., Ltd. We are also joined by representatives from our valued partner enterprises and institutions, media representatives, parent representatives, members of the BiUH Presidium, faculty and students from BiUH, all participating in today’s ceremony.
The ceremony, themed “New Campus, New Beginning, New Future: An innovative educational model in Hainan”, be hosted by student Ms. JING Yujuan and student Mr. FANG Tianze from Class 2024. The official opening of the campus not only signifies the establishment of this Sino-German cooperatively built international “Work-integrated” university in the Hainan Free Trade Port but also symbolizes a new stage in Sino-German educational cooperation, injecting new international educational momentum into Hainan’s high-quality development.
The ceremony was declared open by Prof. Dr. Ingeborg Schramm-Wölk, President of Hochschule Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSBI) and President of Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences. In her speech, she pointed out that the completion of BiUH is not only an important achievement in Sino-German educational cooperation but also a vivid practice of education transcending national boundaries and connecting the world. The new campus is not just an expansion of teaching space but also a key carrier transforming Sino-German educational concepts from “vision” into “reality.” The university will rely on the German “Work-integrated” education model, closely aligning with the industrial development direction of the Hainan Free Trade Port, to provide students with application-oriented education that combines international perspectives and local practice.
President Prof. Dr. Schramm-Wölk introduced the core members of the Presidium – Vice President of Public Relations and Student Recruitment, Mr. ZENG Weilu(Right 2); Vice President of Finance and Human Resources, Ms. Judith Peltz(Left 2); Vice President of Study and Teaching, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schäfermeier(Left 1); Vice President of Properties and Business Contacts, Dr. Jari Grosse-Ruyken(Right 1). The four Vice Presidents took the stage in turn, giving brief introductions regarding their respective areas of responsibility, demonstrating the diverse background and international character of the university’s management team.
Mr. ZHANG Huawei, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Danzhou Municipal Committee and Executive Vice Mayor of the Danzhou Municipal People’s Government, addressed the ceremony, congratulating the university on its successful establishment in Yangpu. He noted that the arrival of Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences is both timely and significant. As a core area for the “port-industry-city integration” development of the Hainan Free Trade Port, Danzhou Yangpu has a strong need for high-level international talent to support industrial upgrading. The university’s program offerings are highly aligned with the development needs of key local industries such as international logistics and the digital economy, and will inject new momentum into regional development. The Danzhou Municipal Government will demonstrate utmost sincerity and take concrete action to continuously provide high-quality services and policy support for the university’s development, working together to build a model zone for the deep integration of education and industry.
Ms. CUI Ying, Deputy Director of the Education Department of Hainan Province; Mr. ZHANG Huawei, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Danzhou Municipal Committee and Executive Vice Mayor of the Danzhou Municipal People’s Government; BiUH President Prof. Dr. Ingeborg Schramm-Wölk, Vice President Mr. ZENG Weilu, Vice President Ms. Judith Peltz, Vice President Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schäfermeier, and Vice President Dr. Jari Grosse-Ruyken along with Prof. Dr. Michael Stricker, General Manager of Hainan BiKe Education Development Co., Ltd., jointly took the stage for the unveiling. As the sand-pouring ceremony commenced, colored sand symbolizing the new chapter of Sino-German cooperation and education slowly filled the display unit. The emblem of Hainan Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences (BiUH) gradually emerged, drawing warm applause from the audience and bringing the ceremony to a climax. This creative segment symbolized BiUH taking root and blossoming with new life and promise on the fertile ground of the Hainan Free Trade Port through the joint efforts of China and Germany.
From left to right: Dr. Jari Grosse-Ruyken, Ms. Judith Pelt, Prof. Dr. Michael Stricker, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Schäfermeier, Prof. Dr. Ingeborg Schramm-Wölk, Ms. CUI Ying, Mr. ZHANG Huawei, Mr. ZENG Weilu
Student representative Ms. PAN Yingning spoke on behalf of the incoming Class of 2025. She shared her expectations for the university’s future development and expressed her commitment to treasuring the learning opportunities in an international educational environment, striving to become an “Work-integrated” talent equipped with innovative capability and a global vision.
Witnessed by the university’s Presidium, representatives from partner enterprises in China and Germany jointly unveiled the plaque, marking the official start of the collaborative industry-academia education system. This moment not only demonstrated the university’s resolve to deepen industry-education integration but also reflected a shared determination with the industrial sector to cultivate application-oriented talent.
Mr. André Sombecki, Chief Financial Officer of the Weidmüller Group, delivered a speech as the enterprise representative. Focusing on “long-term sustainable cooperation” and “joint growth” he emphasized that Weidmüller’s cooperation with BiUH constitutes deep engagement in educational innovation, rather than a short-term partnership. He stated that the group will deepen collaboration across multiple dimensions going forward, including supporting Sino-German joint education programs, providing practical experience opportunities in Germany, imparting the respect for technology and spirit of cross-cultural inclusivity inherent in the “German DNA,” and opening its global network to provide development platforms for graduates. He expressed his hope that students would grow into industry leaders, innovation pioneers, and envoys of Sino-German friendship.
In her concluding address, President Schramm-Wölk sincerely thanked the Hainan Provincial Government, the Danzhou Municipal Government, and all partners for their support and trust. She also offered special thanks and greetings to the journalists present, noting that the day coincided with Chinese Journalists’ Day. She encouraged faculty and students to continue upholding the spirit of openness, innovation, and cooperation to collectively write the future of BiUH.
Following the ceremony, guests and media representatives, guided by student volunteers and Vice Presidents Mr. ZENG Weilu and Ms. Judith Peltz, toured the campus. They visited teaching and living facilities such as the Student Center, Teaching Buildings, and the Welcome Center, experiencing the modern and open campus environment.
The successful holding of this campus opening ceremony not only displayed the substantial outcomes of Sino-German educational cooperation but also set BiUH on a new journey. In the future, the university will remain rooted in Hainan while engaging with the world. Through innovative educational concepts and an open international vision, it will cultivate more high-quality talent with practical competence and social responsibility, contributing further to the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port and to Sino-German cultural exchange.
