On July 10, 2025, the Institute for Global Public Policy (IGPP) at Fudan University and the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research (MPI-FKF) held an online signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), officially marking the launch of in-depth cooperation between the two institutions in scientific research, international exchange, and higher education. The agreement was signed by Professor Yijia Jing, Dean of IGPP, and Professor Bernhard Keimer, Director of MPI-FKF.

Professor Keimer emphasized that international collaboration is essential for driving major scientific breakthroughs. He noted that the signing represents not merely a formal agreement but a solemn commitment to leverage each other’s strengths. Through this partnership, both institutions aim to promote knowledge sharing, nurture young talent, and address transnational scientific challenges—objectives that carry significant potential value for the broader scientific community.

In his remarks, Professor Jing first expressed gratitude to Dr. Robin Haunschild from MPI-FKF and Associate Professor Meijun Liu from IGPP for their efforts in facilitating the collaboration. He praised Professor Keimer’s insights and highlighted that this signing reflects both parties’ strong commitment to maintaining connections and fostering mutual learning. The collaboration is not only mutually beneficial but also essential for generating knowledge and addressing shared scientific challenges. This partnership marks IGPP’s first formal collaboration with an international institution in the natural sciences, underscoring IGPP’s longstanding commitment to tackling global policy issues through diverse disciplinary perspectives. Professor Jing also extended an invitation to MPI-FKF scholars to participate in IGPP’s visiting scholar program and expressed anticipation for exploring further innovative modes of collaboration.

Under the terms of the agreement, the two institutions will focus their collaboration on the field of science and technology policy, with IGPP serving as the central hub for cooperation between Fudan University and MPI-FKF. The signing ceremony was attended by Dr. Robin Haunschild, Klaus Schrader, and Kaaren Descamp from MPI-FKF, as well as Professor Li Tang, Associate Professor Meijun Liu, and Administrative Director Rong Zhang from Fudan University.

The Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science is a nationally funded research institution in Germany and is widely recognized as the country’s most prestigious organization for fundamental research, often referred to as “the cradle of German science.” Its affiliated Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, established in 1969, has long focused on investigating the physical and chemical properties of condensed matter, with particular strengths in complex materials and nanoscience.