From September 28 to 29, Hefei University of Technology (HFUT) and IU International University of Applied Sciences, Germany, jointly hosted the 2026 China-Germany Seminar on Intelligent Construction. Focusing on key topics including innovative infrastructure design, applications of intelligent construction, and innovative approaches to international talent development, the seminar featured a variety of activities, including site visits, enterprise-based study tours, and an academic forum. It provided a valuable platform for in-depth collaboration and exchange among universities and enterprises from China and Germany, further strengthening practical cooperation in sustainable construction and smart infrastructure.

On September 28, a joint delegation of Chinese and German faculty and students visited the Hefei-Chizhou Intercity Railway project of China Railway 11th Bureau Group Co., Ltd. for a field study. The delegation toured the project’s integrated management base, precast beam plant, and the super-large bridge crossing the Yangtze-to-Huaihe River Diversion Project. They gained a comprehensive understanding of the project's intelligent construction management system and focused on digital construction applications, including integrated intelligent control of concrete batching plants, intelligent operation and maintenance of reinforcement processing, and automated acceptance of construction materials. They also observed green and intelligent construction equipment, such as integrated photovoltaic-energy storage-charging facilities and new-energy construction vehicles. Through on-site observation and face-to-face exchanges, the German faculty and students gained a direct understanding of the standardized, intelligent, and green development of China's high-speed railway construction. They expressed strong interest in China's advanced railway construction technologies and refined engineering management practices.

On the morning of September 29, the Chinese and German faculty and students visited Hefei University of Technology Design Institute (Group) Co., Ltd., where they participated in a thematic exchange on innovative design practices for intelligent construction throughout the engineering life cycle. In the afternoon, the German delegation visited HFUT's Tunxi Road Campus, touring the HFUT History Museum and the Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Civil Engineering Structures and Materials, among other facilities. The visit provided a comprehensive overview of HFUT's institutional heritage, disciplinary development, and research strengths. During the visit, the School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering of HFUT and IU International University of Applied Sciences formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in civil engineering, establishing a framework for further collaboration in joint talent development, collaborative research and innovation, and faculty and student exchanges.

The Office of International Affairs and Cooperation (Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs Office) of HFUT, the School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, and Hefei University of Technology Design Institute (Group) Co., Ltd., in collaboration with IU International University of Applied Sciences, also jointly hosted a special forum on China-Germany cooperation in intelligent construction. Experts and scholars from academia and industry in both countries delivered presentations on cutting-edge topics, including deep excavation support technologies, innovative practices in Chinese bridge engineering, applications of artificial intelligence in railway engineering in Germany, and modern engineering design. They shared the latest research achievements and engineering applications in civil engineering and intelligent construction and engaged in in-depth discussions on international talent development, joint development of specialized courses, and cross-border research collaboration.

Integrating engineering field studies, high-level academic discussions, and visits to research and innovation platforms, the series of activities enhanced German faculty and students' understanding of China's high-speed railway construction, intelligent construction industry, and engineering education. It also laid a solid foundation for further strengthening international university-enterprise cooperation. Moving forward, the School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering will continue to leverage bilateral cooperation platforms to deepen industry-university-research collaboration in civil engineering between China and Germany and contribute to the internationalization and high-quality development of intelligent construction.

Text: Wang Yongwei Wang

Photos: Xu Minghui, Pan Yaohui

Reviewed by: Wang Jingfeng Wang, Gao Peng

Chinese and German faculty and students pose for a group photo at the Weidi Building

The two sides sign a Memorandum of Understanding

China-Germany Forum on Intelligent Construction

Visiting the Intelligent Control Center of the Hechi Railway Project's Beam Fabrication Plant