On April 11, faculty and students from Shanghai Jiao Tong University's Zhiyuan College visited Microsoft Research Asia and Peking University's Frontiers Science Center for Computational Intelligence, strengthening academic partnerships while exposing students to cutting-edge technological developments.
At Microsoft Research Asia (MSRA), the delegation explored the institute's pioneering work in computational science. Established in 1998 as Microsoft's Asia-Pacific research hub, MSRA has collaborated with Zhiyuan College since 2011, providing over one million yuan in scholarships and numerous research opportunities. Academic Cooperation Manager Chen Hao guided the group through key facilities including The Garage innovation space, where employees develop experimental projects, and Microsoft China Center One, featuring voice interaction and mixed reality technologies.
The visit culminated in research seminars where Microsoft scientists presented advancements in artificial intelligence and computational compression, followed by productive discussions during a networking lunch.
In the afternoon, the delegation engaged with Peking University's prestigious Turing Class program. Turing Class student Xu Chenhao led a campus tour highlighting Peking University's historic landmarks, including Weiming Lake and the Arthur M. Sackler Museum of Art and Archaeology, where students examined significant cultural artifacts.
The academic exchange featured presentations from both institutions. Associate Professor Kong Yuqing facilitated discussions about computer science curricula, while Executive Director Deng Xiaotie shared insights from his teaching experience at SJTU. The day concluded with Ph.D. candidate Chen Zhaohua's technical presentation on advanced computing research during the CS Frontier Tutorial session.
This successful exchange enhanced collaboration between Zhiyuan College and these leading institutions, providing students valuable exposure to frontier research while expanding academic networks in computer science.