Tongji University and Aalto University agreed on a double degree programme

Tongji University and Aalto University in Finland have agreed on a double degree offered within the International Design Business Management (IDBM) programme.

Students completing the double degree will receive degree certificates from both universities. The agreement states an aim for the universities to begin teaching the double degree programme in autumn 2011. IDBM is a multidisciplinary MA programme combining the different areas of expertise taught at AaltoUniversity.

TongjiUniversity and AaltoUniversity established a strategic partnership and set up Sino-Finnish Centre in Shanghai in May 2010.

Double degree to produce international experts

IDBM is a joint teaching and research programme of AaltoUniversity s School of Economics, School of Art and Design and its four Schools of Technology. It trains developers and leaders of global business by bringing together future experts in design, economics and technology while still students. The IDBM Programme has been offered since 1995 at the three universities that have since merged to form AaltoUniversity.

Twelve students from the Aalto University IDBM programme and 12 students from TongjiUniversity will be selected for the double degree. The students will complete the first year of their MA degree in their home university and the second year in the partner university. The AaltoUniversity students who have completed the programme will receive a degree certificate from AaltoUniversity and an MA certificate from TongjiUniversity.

The Schools of Aalto University have previously offered double degrees with European Universities in the field of technology and economics. TongjiUniversity is the first non-European university to offer a double degree to AaltoUniversity students.

"China plays an important part in the internalization of both AaltoUniversity and Finland in general. We expect the IDBM double degree to provide our students with an excellent background for careers combining design and business in Finland, China or anywhere else in the world," says Hannu Serist , Vice President of Aalto University.