Illinois Faculty

The Zhejiang University-University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Institute (ZJUI) is an engineering college on the new Zhejiang University (ZJU) International Campus in Haining, China, about 120 km southwest of Shanghai. ZJU-UIUC Institute faculty teach and research in broad program themes of engineering and system sciences; information and data sciences; and energy, environment, and infrastructure sciences. The ZJU-UIUC Institute leverages a brand new campus and creates a unique student experience of cross-disciplinary collaboration, technical leadership, teamwork, and creative excellence. The Institute offers undergraduate degree programs in civil and environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer engineering that mirror the degree programs offered at UIUC. All courses are offered in English. A major attraction for students enrolling at the institute is the possibility to interact with leading faculty from UIUC.

Faculty from UIUC have the opportunity to teach and research at the ZJU-UIUC Institute by exchanging for a semester. While in Haining, faculty will typically teach two UIUC courses from the curricula offered at ZJUI. Class sizes, even at the introductory level, tend to be smaller than the equivalent courses at UIUC, allowing for a more personal interaction with the talented and motivated students enrolled in the program. Faculty can also use the semester to begin or deepen research collaborations with the Institute faculty or colleagues at ZJU. Possibilities exist to bring graduate student research assistants from UIUC, enhancing their education and allowing faculty to continue their research programs.

Considerable effort has been made to make the exchange process as hassle free for exchanging faculty as possible. Faculty are provided with assistance in making travel arrangements, including procurement of the required visa, an apartment in the International Campus’ Residential College, office space, and (depending on requirements) laboratory space. The semesters at the Institute are roughly aligned with the semesters at UIUC, allowing for a direct semester exchange.

Interested faculty are encouraged to contact Umberto Ravaioli, ravaioli@illinois.edu to learn about specific courses that are being offered at the Institute and to ask any questions about this opportunity. Find frequently asked questions about teaching in Zhejiang.