On April 20th, the unveiling ceremony for the “China-New Zealand Research Center of Computational Intelligence for Environmental Engineering” (CIEE) was held in Wuhan University. CIEE is jointly established by Wuhan University, Unitec Institute of Technology of New Zealand, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research of New Zealand and Luo Jia De Yi Technology Development Co., Ltd, committed to the improvement of scientific research on environmental protection.
Richard Ede, President of Unitec Institute of Technology, Andrew Watkins, General Manager of Information Technology, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Yang Zhiguo, General Manager of Luo Jia De Yi Technology Development Co., Ltd, and Shu Hongbing, Vice President of Wuhan University jointly unveiled the plaque for CIEE.
Shu Hongbing pointed out that as New Zealand boasts rich experience in environmental monitoring, simulation and protection, WHU hopes to exchange advantages in environmental science and information science with New Zealand.
Richard Ede said, the establishment of the China-New Zealand Research Center of Computational Intelligence for Environmental Engineering was very timely, as it coincided with Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Phillip Key’s visit to China. He expressed hope for further cooperation in scientific research between two countries.
Also present at the unveiling ceremony were other representatives from Unitec Institute of Technology, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, Luo Jia De Yi Technology Development Co., Ltd, REANNZ, New Zealand Embassy to China, Science and Technology Department of Hubei Province and representatives from relevant schools and offices of WHU.
On 19th, the New Zealand delegation also participated in the “1st CIEE Workshop” held in the School of Resources and Environmental Sciences, where ten lectures were delivered on the possibility of further achievement in atmospheric quality and microbial materials.
CIEE is committed to the application of information technology to the research in environmental protection and the training of talents in this field through collaborative projects and the integration of industry, university and research in order to improve the research in this area. On October, 2015, WHU signed the Memorandum of Understanding for a Joint Research Centre for Computational Intelligence for Environmental Engineering with the three institutions.
Unitec Institute of Technology, founded in 1976, is the largest institute of technology in New Zealand. There are altogether 25,000 students in the campus, including over 1500 foreign students from over 80 countries. The education of the Institute is centered on employment, with curriculum designed by industrial experts and societies. With a fundamental goal of having its diplomas industrially recognized, the Institute focuses on learning through practice on the basis of solid theoretical knowledge.
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research is the major institution for environmental science and application, specializing in environmental research and consultancy. It is committed to helping individuals and companies make efficient use of natural resources.
Luo Jia De Yi Technology Development Co., Ltd, was founded in 2009, specializing in providing products and services throughout the geo-information industrial chain, including rapid collection and processing of spatial data, integrated management and innovation, publication of shared services and 3D application, etc.
(Edited by Hu Sijia)
