Shenzhen International School of Design
Shenzhen International School of Design
Shenzhen International School of Design
February 26, 2021
February 26, 2021
February 26, 2021
Position Paper
Position Paper
Max Mustermann
Max Mustermann
Max Mustermann
Little is known about the nature of the labor of obligation in this area. It is important to manage expectations and understand that the process may involve challenges and required adjustments.
Little is known about the nature of the labor of obligation in this area. It is important to manage expectations and understand that the process may involve challenges and required adjustments.
Little is known about the nature of the labor of obligation in this area. It is important to manage expectations and understand that the process may involve challenges and required adjustments.
Introduction
Since 2012, there has been a partnership between ZHdK and the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) in Shenzhen, China. This cooperation aims to establish a design university in Shenzhen. Plans also include exchange programs where students and faculty from ZHdK would study or work in Shenzhen.
In connection with this cooperation, ZHdK has appeared multiple times in the media in recent months. As a result, the University Assembly invited a university-wide panel discussion on December 14, 2020. Due to the various statements from students and the direct impact on all students, VERSO has decided to formulate a position with this position paper.
Demand
From a student perspective, there are various aspects of the cooperation with HIT that are extremely problematic. Since we cannot envision these problems being resolved within the framework of the cooperation, and no satisfactory solutions have been provided so far, we demand an immediate exit from the cooperation. Maintaining a partnership with a public university of a regime that has been proven to violate human rights is, in our view, incompatible with the values of ZHdK.
This is especially true since ZHdK, as a public university, is committed to political neutrality. This position paper will be submitted to the university administration with all collected signatures as a request. VERSO and all signatories request the immediate exit from the cooperation with the Harbin Institute of Technology and the associated involvement in the planned Shenzhen International School of Design.
Introduction
Since 2012, there has been a partnership between ZHdK and the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) in Shenzhen, China. This cooperation aims to establish a design university in Shenzhen. Plans also include exchange programs where students and faculty from ZHdK would study or work in Shenzhen.
In connection with this cooperation, ZHdK has appeared multiple times in the media in recent months. As a result, the University Assembly invited a university-wide panel discussion on December 14, 2020. Due to the various statements from students and the direct impact on all students, VERSO has decided to formulate a position with this position paper.
Demand
From a student perspective, there are various aspects of the cooperation with HIT that are extremely problematic. Since we cannot envision these problems being resolved within the framework of the cooperation, and no satisfactory solutions have been provided so far, we demand an immediate exit from the cooperation. Maintaining a partnership with a public university of a regime that has been proven to violate human rights is, in our view, incompatible with the values of ZHdK.
This is especially true since ZHdK, as a public university, is committed to political neutrality. This position paper will be submitted to the university administration with all collected signatures as a request. VERSO and all signatories request the immediate exit from the cooperation with the Harbin Institute of Technology and the associated involvement in the planned Shenzhen International School of Design.
Safety of University Members “The internet is widely censored in China.
VPN can easily be switched off by the government, and it is known to have happened before. How can ZHdK guarantee that students and colleagues will be able to access information related to their education and/or work? How can students and colleagues be protected while using the internet for both professional and personal purposes?” We are questioning how ZHdK will ensure the safety of university members.
This includes the data security of the entire university, the safety of university members in Shenzhen, and the safety of exchange students from Hong Kong and China in Zurich. Moreover, it is likely that the Social Credit System would also be applied to foreign students and employees in China. One point to consider is the office of the Communist Party at the university site in Shenzhen. The party has access to internal documents, sensitive data, and indirectly to data from university members who are in
Safety of University Members “The internet is widely censored in China.
VPN can easily be switched off by the government, and it is known to have happened before. How can ZHdK guarantee that students and colleagues will be able to access information related to their education and/or work? How can students and colleagues be protected while using the internet for both professional and personal purposes?” We are questioning how ZHdK will ensure the safety of university members.
This includes the data security of the entire university, the safety of university members in Shenzhen, and the safety of exchange students from Hong Kong and China in Zurich. Moreover, it is likely that the Social Credit System would also be applied to foreign students and employees in China. One point to consider is the office of the Communist Party at the university site in Shenzhen. The party has access to internal documents, sensitive data, and indirectly to data from university members who are in
Conclusion
„Why do we not prioritize ethical questions in negotiating a cooperation and make them the ultimate condition for collaboration? We do not need to ‘grow’; we do not have to focus on markets, and can therefore behave differently.”
4 Report by Human Rights Watch: https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2020/country-chapters/global
5 Report by Amnesty International: https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/asia-and-thepacific/china/report-china/
6 The social scientist Adrian Zenz says in an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung on the topic: “This is the largest internment of an ethnically and religiously defined minority since the Nazi era. The Chinese government has detained more than a million people - primarily Uighurs - in camps, they are forced to work, and eyewitnesses report instances of torture. In addition, children are regularly ripped from their families. The goal is to eradicate the culture and tradition of the Uighurs. This is cultural genocide.”
Conclusion
„Why do we not prioritize ethical questions in negotiating a cooperation and make them the ultimate condition for collaboration? We do not need to ‘grow’; we do not have to focus on markets, and can therefore behave differently.”
4 Report by Human Rights Watch: https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2020/country-chapters/global
5 Report by Amnesty International: https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/asia-and-thepacific/china/report-china/
6 The social scientist Adrian Zenz says in an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung on the topic: “This is the largest internment of an ethnically and religiously defined minority since the Nazi era. The Chinese government has detained more than a million people - primarily Uighurs - in camps, they are forced to work, and eyewitnesses report instances of torture. In addition, children are regularly ripped from their families. The goal is to eradicate the culture and tradition of the Uighurs. This is cultural genocide.”
Conclusion
„Why do we not prioritize ethical questions in negotiating a cooperation and make them the ultimate condition for collaboration? We do not need to ‘grow’; we do not have to focus on markets, and can therefore behave differently.”
4 Report by Human Rights Watch: https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2020/country-chapters/global
5 Report by Amnesty International: https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/asia-and-thepacific/china/report-china/
6 The social scientist Adrian Zenz says in an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung on the topic: “This is the largest internment of an ethnically and religiously defined minority since the Nazi era. The Chinese government has detained more than a million people - primarily Uighurs - in camps, they are forced to work, and eyewitnesses report instances of torture. In addition, children are regularly ripped from their families. The goal is to eradicate the culture and tradition of the Uighurs. This is cultural genocide.”
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All ZHdK students receive the newsletter automatically. If you do not receive the newsletter, you are welcome to subscribe to it here.
Mini-Newsletter November 2025
Nov 24
Newsletter
General Assembly, statements, information event and more
Newsletter October 2025
Sep 15
Newsletter
EP27, stabilization initiative, question students, etc...
More articles
Mini-Newsletter November 2025
Nov 24
Newsletter
General Assembly, statements, information event and more
Newsletter October 2025
Sep 15
Newsletter
EP27, stabilization initiative, question students, etc...
Newsletter March 2025