Agreement was signed for the establishment of international school of design by Shenzhen Government, HIT, Zurich University of Arts (ZHdK) , and Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC).

Mayor of Shenzhen XU Qin made a speech on the signing ceremony. He said, the signing of the agreement symbolized a new achievement in the construction of featured colleges in Shenzhen. Shenzhen is now creating a “City of Design”. To establish a design college here in Shenzhen could make good use of the advanced education ideas, good teaching resources, innovative team, famous education brand of the three institutions, and the mechanism, industrial facilities and good market environment of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. The college would surely provide talents for the design industries in Shenzhen, which would be positive to the economic structure adjustment and the upgrade of the regional economy.

Vice President of HIT DING Xuemei said, the establishment of the International School of Design had proved the upgrading of cooperation between Shenzhen Municipal City and HIT. HIT would take the advantage of opportunity to improve its academic level and influences in the field of design. HIT would also push forward the integration of design art and engineering to meet the need of Shenzhen design and cultural innovation industries.

President of HHdK Thomas Dominik Meier and Academic Director of IAAC Areti Markopoulou also made speech at the ceremony.

According to the agreement, International School of Design of HITSZ will develop graduate programs in Architecture Design, Product Design, Space Design and City Culture, and Communication and Media etc. at its beginning phase. Full-time students on campus will reach 1200, among which 1000 are graduate students and 200 doctoral candidates. Part-time students will be 300 each year.