Professor Gordon Hush, Head of the School of Innovation and Technology - The Glasgow School of Art, recently participated in the launch of a major new global initiative in Harbin, linking China and Europe. The 45 Degree North Latitude project is a collaboration by the Harbin School of Architecture and Design (Harbin Institute of Technology, China), the School of Innovation & Technology, the GSA and the Department of Architecture and Design, Politecnico di Torino, Italy.

The North Latitude 45 Design and Education Group and the “Numerous · Nexus· Novus" International Design Forum took place on 29th June and was attended by designers and architects from Schools across China and Europe. The North Latitude 45 Design and Education Group, a transcontinental, non-profit alliance, unites leading design institutions including universities, research organizations, and enterprises within the ±10° range of the 45th parallel North. It aims to address global challenges, such as climate adaptation, intercultural dialogue, sustainable urban development, and ecological governance through collaborative action and partnership.

The event was hosted by Prof SUN Cheng Dean of the School of Architecture and Design at H.I.T. and invited speakers from across Europe and China to consider how this collaboration might Foster cross-disciplinary innovation in climate-responsive design. Develop shared educational frameworks for sustainable design practices. Promote cultural exchange through joint exhibitions, workshops, and digital platforms.

Keynote presentations were made by eminent global scholars and researchers, including Prof @YANG Dongjiang, Vice Dean of Academy of Arts & Design at Tsinghua University, Beijing; Prof Yongqi Lou, President of Shanghai University of Engineering Science （Offical）; Prof qin jingyan, Vice Dean of the School of A.I. and Innovation, Director of Industrial Design, University of Science and Technology Beijing; Prof Ramon Pico, Dean of Architecture, Universidad de Sevilla; Prof Eulalia Gomez Escoda, Polytechnic Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona.

The visit to Harbin also provided a chance to renew the historic links between the GSA and H.I.T. – in particular with the Mackintosh School of Architecture. The meeting provided an opportunity for the two Schools to renew their Memorandum of Understanding and explore future opportunities for collaboration.