Memo+36

Dear President Gu,

My name is Xiaofeng Tang, I am a PhD student in the Department of Science and Technology Studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. I am now working on my dissertation research on a comparative study on the higher education in engineering between China and the US.

Before coming to Rensselaer and pursuing a PhD degree in social science, I was an undergraduate student at Tsinghua and got my degree in Automation in 2005. Then I worked for one year as an eletrical engineer in Shanghai Baosteel Iron and Steel corporation. My educational and professional experience in engineering inspired me to study the engineering education and its influence on the development of engineering students in colleges and later in their professions. My study focuses on the interactions between industry/business, universities, and students, with the aim of exploring how the requirements from industry and business influence the education and research of universities and the development of students.

In March 2009, I met you in the Tsinghua Alumni Reunion in New York City. In your speech you introduced the new strategies for the development of Tsinghua in its new century. I think as the top university in China, Tsinghua's development guides the direction of China's engineering education. At the same time, the position of Tsinghua in the world is broadly concerned by the Chinese society. I am very interested in hearing you introducing in detail your comments on the environment of higher education in China and your thoughts on the future development of Tsinghua. An interview of you would be very helpful for me to explore the opportunities and challenges of developing higher education in China since your words represents the advanced thinking of Chinese educators.

I will arrive at Tsinghua in November 2011 for my field research and stay there for around two months. If you agree, I could come to visit you anytime during this period in your office or anywhere near the campus. The interview will last for a few hours, I'd tape and transcribe the interview, and you would then have the opportunity to make any edits, clarifications, or additions that you saw fit.

I hope you will consider give this serious consideration. An interview of you would be very helpful to this research. I'd be happy to answer any of your questions. You can send me an email at tangx3@rpi.edu, or call me at 1-518-596-3186. Thank you.

Sincerely yours, Xiaofeng Tang