As part of WPI’s signature global projects program, our undergraduate students make an impact in communities throughout China at two world-class project centers with ties to five important Chinese cities. New teams of bright and motivated students travel to these centers each year to immerse themselves in new cultures as they make connections with local students and take on real-world challenges that lie in the critical zone where science and technology meet business needs, social issues, and cultural norms.
Through participation at the project centers in China, WPI undergraduates have the opportunity to complete their IQP (Interactive Qualifying Project) and MQP (Major Qualifying Project) requirements off campus.
- IQP students work with local organizations to tackle real-life problems and challenges where science and technology meet social issues and human needs.
- MQP students pursue technical projects in their major field of study, frequently in partnership with industry leaders and other universities.
WPI students pursue hands-on, life-changing project opportunities in all corners of the world, including China. Project work is preceded by rigorous preparation. Students also strive to become familiar with the culture and language.
China Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP) Centers
- Goals:
- Tackle real problems at the nexus of society and technology; analyze socio-political context and stakeholder interests; make recommendations
- Nurture global scientists and engineers who understand the connections between society and technology
- Interdisciplinary teams; external sponsors
- Hong Kong IQP Center, 2001–present
- Center Director: Professor Creighton Peet
- Focus: Education and urban planning
- 20+ students per year
- Hangzhou IQP Center, 2014–present
- Center Director: Professor Jennifer Rudolph
- Partner: Hangzhou Dianzi University
- Focus: Sustainable urban growth
China Major Qualifying Project (MQP) Centers
- Beijing MQP Center, 2015–present
- Co-directors: Professors Jianyu Liang and Amy Zeng
- Partner: Beijing University of Chemical Technology
- Shanghai MQP Center, 2008–present
- Co-directors: Professors David DiBiasio and Susan Zhou
- Partner: Shanghai Jiaotong University
- Chemical Engineering and Environmental Engineering majors only
- Multi-city MQP Center, 2005–2014
- Wuhan and Greater Shanghai
- Co-directors: Professors Kevin Rong and Amy Zeng
- Partners: Beijing Jiaotong University, Huazhong University of Science & Technology (Wuhan), Shanghai University, Tsinghua University (Beijing)
- Majors: ME/MFE, MGE/IE, RBE, ECE, MA, FPE, MG, CEE, CS, CHE
- Mixed-team model
- Over 160 WPI students and over 250 Chinese students have participated in this Center
Features of MQP Centers
- Immersion in local culture while tackling pressing technical problems for project sponsors
- Learning by doing in multi-cultural, multi-locational project teams
- Multi-channel learning and communication
- Multi-faceted teaching and education