The Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation presents its strategy for knowledge-based collaboration between Denmark and China as part of the Danish Government’s action plan to provide a comprehensive framework for collaboration between Denmark and China. Among the many suggested initiatives is the establishment of a ‘Sino-Danish University’ in China to serve as a visible and accessible platform for Danish universities’ interaction with Chinese knowledge institutions and authorities.

After several rounds of negotiations the Danish universities and Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (GUCAS) sign a Memorandum of Understanding and thereby agree to jointly develop the Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research. The ceremony is witnessed by the Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Chairman of the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy Zheng Bijian.

More than a hundred Danish and Chinese researchers participate in the first SDC Symposium in Beijing to develop the framework for SDC’s future research collaboration. The two-day event combines plenary presentations with focused discussions in each of SDC’s selected research areas: Water and Environment; Sustainable Energy; Nanoscience; Social Sciences; and Life Sciences.

In the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Chairman of the Danish Rectors' Conference Jens Oddershede and President of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) Bai Chunli sign the Partnership Agreement which marks the formal establishment of the Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research. The ceremony is witnessed by the Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

SDC opens its doors for the first cohort of master’s degree students to the four master’s programmes: Neuroscience and Neuroimaging; Water and Environment; Innovation Management; and Public Management and Social Development. In total, 104 Danish and Chinese students enrol and start their studies at UCAS’ Olympic Village campus in Beijing.

The Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt and President of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Bai Chunli attend SDC’s Opening Ceremony.

After one year at UCAS’ Olympic Village campus, SDC moves all educational activities to UCAS’ Zhongguancun campus in Beijing.

SDC opens three new master’s programmes: Nanoscience and Technology; Omics (renamed Life Science Engineering and Informatics in 2018); and Chemical and Biochemical Engineering.

Her Majesty the Queen of Denmark breaks ground for the House of the Danish Industry Foundation on UCAS' Yanqihu campus together with President of Chinese Academy of Sciences Bai Chunli. The building will house many of SDC’s activities and is made possible by a large donation from The Danish Industry Foundation.

The first SDC graduates are celebrated at a ceremony in China. After two years of study, the graduates are ready to meet the world.

Claus Davidsen, from SDC’s Water and Environment research area, is the first Danish SDC PhD to be awarded a double degree from the Technical University of Denmark and UCAS. President of UCAS Ding Zhongli personally awards the diploma to Claus Davidsen at UCAS’ Graduation Ceremony in Beijing.

HRH Crown Prince Frederik attends the inauguration of SDC’s new home in China, The House of the Danish Industry Foundation. The building, which is a distinct landmark with unique Danish identity located in China, perfectly reflects the spirit of the collaboration.

SDC launches its Food and Health research area.

SDC hosted the first Corporate Innovation Days, bringing together students, researchers and industry representatives to explore innovation and entrepreneurship in a Chinese context. The event connected academic research with business practice through company presentations, discussions and networking across sectors.

SDC enrols the first cohort of master’s degree students in the master’s programme International Food Quality and Health. Due to Covid-19, the students study online.

SDC celebrates its 10th anniversary. More than 200 guests participate in the celebration in the House of the Danish Industry Foundation and online. Among the guests is the Ambassador of Denmark to China Thomas Østrup Møller.

The Danish Business Outlook on China (DBOC) index was launched through a collaboration between the Royal Danish Embassy in Beijing, the Danish Chamber of Commerce in China, the Danish-Chinese Business Forum and SDC.

Based on quarterly surveys among Danish companies operating in China, the index tracks how businesses assess current market conditions and the outlook for their activities in China.

SDC hosted its first Ideathon, bringing together around 120 Master’s students and mentors from academia and industry for two days of intensive innovation. Working in interdisciplinary and international teams, students developed solutions to challenges linked to four UN Sustainable Development Goals and presented their ideas after 24 hours of collaboration.

The fifth edition of Corporate Innovation Days marked a milestone for the event series, bringing together students, researchers, companies and policymakers at SDC.