NTNU’s China pioneer

It started by accident in 1985, when Harald Høyem planned a tour to India with his wife and family. But war and unrest in India brought the family to China instead. The land and its people whetted Høyem’s appetite, and the first connections were made. Four years later Høyem returned, this time in connection with his sabbatical at the university. He took a job as a guest teacher at Jiao Tong University in Xian.

Triggered by poor housing standards

“After becoming acquainted with the city, I found that especially the Muslim Quarter was plagued by poor living conditions. I initiated a renovation project and got my faculty involved. Eventually we realized that there was much more here of interest to architects,” says Høyem.

He sought funding from NORAD for two different projects. One was for the preservation of historically important homes and buildings, the other for resource-efficient development.

Potentially explosive situation

In 1997, things picked up with the launch of a broad-based project that included anthropologists, archaeologists, water and sewer experts and architects from NTNU. Since then, efforts have snowballed. A special seminar during NTNU’s visit was held to pave the way for further research cooperation between NTNU and Chinese universities. Among the participants from the Chinese side were SJTU and the universities in Xi'an, Tsing Hua and Tongji – all of which reflect the contacts that Høyem first made.

At the seminar, Professor Anne Grete Hestnes made a presentation to the Chinese delegates about NTNU’s new Research Centre on Zero Emission Buildings, abbreviated ZEB, a national Centre for Environment-friendly Energy Research. Høyem talking about the CURB project, which focuses on urbanization in China.

“The relationship between the cities and the country is a potentially explosive situation in China's future. Unless the differences and conflicts are resolved here, thing may go terribly wrong,” he said.

An incomprehensible dynamic

Høyem himself can put an emeritus in front of his professor title, as he has turned 70. In fact, the emeritus is unavoidable. “But I still have some projects going,” he says.

Soon, he will start a four-year guest professorship at the university in Xi'an.

“I'm going to keep going a while longer,” he adds.

“You have studied and lived in China over the past two decades. How would you characterize what has happened during this time?”

“It's a dynamic that is totally incomprehensible. They have run this country, and built it– collectively lifting the nation out of poverty. For better or worse. Clearly, this does not happen without paying a price.”

Hopes that NTNU will follow up

“There is a large delegation from your home university now in Shanghai. What do you think about NTNU coming here as a group?”

“What I can say is that I hope there is follow-up on this visit. If not, it’s just a sightseeing trip.”

“What do you think will happen?”

“I think there will be results. But time will tell.”

Trondheim Soloists featured at Nordic Centre opening

The four Nordic countries are jointly operating a Nordic Centre, located at Fudan University. The Centre is an important aid for researchers and academics in the city. A new building was celebrated with a Nordic conference, with participation from the rectors from universities involved. The Trondheim Soloists were also on hand, and used the opportunity to play pieces from their brand new album "In folk style."