ECCI’s Ed Craig seconded as Dean of China's first Low Carbon College
ECCI’s Deputy Director Ed Craig has been seconded to China’s first Low Carbon College to drive forward its innovation and executive education activities.
Ed, who leads on innovation, business growth and international activities at ECCI, will start his new role as Dean, Edinburgh, Low Carbon College, from 10 September 2018 for one year.
The China-UK Low Carbon College, a joint initiative of the University of Edinburgh, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Shanghai Lingang City, will encourage climate innovation in China and around the world. The college will become a key base for the exchange of low carbon ideas, talent, technology and resources between China and Europe to drive the successful implementation of solutions to environmental challenges.
Driving international innovation
Ed will lead the University of Edinburgh's activity within the college and head up its innovation and professional education activities. He will drive forward a new tailor-made innovation centre and research labs due to open on the campus in late 2019.
Ed will continue to work on strategic projects for ECCI and the University while he is seconded to China. This includes global initiatives through the centre’s partnership with Climate-KIC and ClimateLaunchpad, the world’s biggest greentech competition for which ECCI is hosting the global grand final in November this year.
ECCI Innovation Manager Charlotte Waugh will step up as Head of Innovation during Ed’s secondment.
Based at custom-designed facilities in the new ‘smart city’ of Shanghai Lingang, the China-UK Low Carbon College will provide state-of-the-art research, teaching and innovation facilities. It currently offers Masters in Low Carbon Environment and Low Carbon Energy. Programmes in Carbon Finance, Carbon Management, Low Carbon Cities and Circular Economy are planned for 2019/20, growing the student population to more than 1,000 students.
ECCI has played a key role in the inception and development of the college, due to officially open its doors on 15 September 2018.
Building on ECCI’s model
The project grew out of ECCI’s Low Carbon Innovation project, which helped more than 200 Scottish companies develop their business and build international links. This led to the creation of HKCCI, ECCI's spin-out company in Hong Kong supporting business and academic access into the city, a recognised gateway into China. It aims to replicate ECCI’s cross-sectoral, practical approach to driving a low carbon future, mobilising expertise from across the University.
Ed Craig said: “It’s a privilege to play a leading role in the development of this college, with two world-class Universities building on ECCI’s expertise in cross-disciplinary, practical action for a thriving zero carbon future.
“Our vision is to create a game-changing ‘green bridge’ for the development and implementation of climate solutions and world class research on a massive scale between Edinburgh and Shanghai's new 'smart city', Lingang.
“In the world’s most populated nation, whose Belt and Road trade initiative is the world’s biggest ever infrastructure project, embedding low carbon solutions is vital – and a huge opportunity.”
The China-UK Low Carbon College will see six University of Edinburgh schools – the Business School, GeoSciences, Engineering, Informatics, Law and Chemistry – collaborate to deliver teaching, research and innovation support.
University of Edinburgh Senior Vice-Principal Professor Charlie Jeffery said: "ECCI has been at the heart of mobilising expertise from across the University in developing the China-UK Low Carbon College.
"Ed’s appointment demonstrates the importance the University is investing in this partnership to ensure this expertise will continue to drive the project forward.
“The college shows the huge potential for the University of Edinburgh to collaborate with our Chinese partners in leading the transformation to a smart, thriving future.”
Low Carbon College opening
Want to find out more? Watch a short film about the launch of the college in May 2017.