On March 18 an orientation session for the first-group of intelligent architecture students in the Sino-French class of Tianjin International Engineering Institute (TIEI) was held. The meeting outlined the research direction of TIEI and it was an opportunity for the students to meet the group of tutors and be better informed of their professional careers. The meeting was attended by representatives of the School of Architecture, Vice Dean Liu Gang, Zhou Ting and Guo Juanli, and, Deputy Director Wang Chunling, Li Qingwei and Chen Wei represented Qiushi Honors College.

During the meeting, Liu Gang introduced three research directions and the corresponding group of intelligent architecture tutors. The first research direction was the intelligent design of ecological buildings, which focuses on building an integrated multi-objective parameter of intelligent buildings that achieves the integration of multi-intelligent conditions. The second research direction was intelligent operation (design) of green buildings which focuses on the simulation and analysis of building performance. The third research direction was the intelligent monitoring and evaluation of the condition of buildings and focuses on protecting ancient buildings.

Liu said that the training in the Sino-French classes was based on the traditional training methods of Tianjin University which combines the French engineering training methods in collaboration with the main group of tutors and many other professional instructors. This model was more international. Three research directions and the corresponding tutor team have strong cross conducive to training "multi-skill" talents. Liu Gang said that in order to facilitate communication and interaction between the students and instructors the school specifically arranged the student studios especially for intelligent architecture students in the School of Architecture.

Zhou Ting enquired if students were progressing well, and expressed that the teaching content could be adjusted based on the extent of the students’ understanding. Wang Chunling encouraged students to be self-confident, and hoped that the students could carefully make, with the guidance of the groups of tutors, the best decisions , undertake practical learning and encouraged them to study hard.

After the meeting, the intelligent architecture students in the Sino-French class visited the laboratory.