On October 11, Honorary Professorship Appointment Ceremony for Dr. Siegmar Haasis was held at Jiangsu University (JSU). Former Chief Information Officer of Mercedes-Benz Research and Development Dr. Haasis, was appointed as an honorary professor of JSU and delivered an academic lecture. Secretary of the CPC Jiangsu University (JSU) Committee Li Hongbo attended the event. The 1991 alumnus of the School of Mechanical Engineering and Chairman of the Sino-German Advanced Manufacturing and Information Association Dr. Li Shutao, along with representatives from International Office, Human Resource Department and relevant schools attended the event. The event was hosted by Director of International Office Dr. Cui Yong.

During the appointment ceremony, Secretary Li Hongbo presented Dr. Haasis with the university badge of JSU and issued the honorary professor certificate.

After that, Dr. Haasis gave an academic lecture. He shared cutting-edge insights on the theme "Digital Engineering—Driven by Data, Simulation, and Artificial Intelligence." He systematically elaborated on the development trends of the automotive industry under the influence of sustainability, software-defined products, and market regulations. Drawing on his extensive practical experience at Mercedes-Benz, he provided an in-depth analysis of the value-driven digital transformation framework and demonstrated how to achieve comprehensive optimization of cost, time, and quality through integrated data workflows. Dr. Haasis emphasized that the digitalization of automotive products requires not only the efforts of individual departments but also efficient collaboration across R&D, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, and service to achieve a closed-loop value cycle from design to after-sales. He highlighted the critical role of digital twin technology in this process, enabling the deep integration of virtual models with physical entities to achieve real-time mapping and optimization of product performance, manufacturing processes, and user experience. Dr. Haasis also noted that a solid data foundation is a prerequisite for achieving AI-driven engineering.

During the interactive session, faculty and students actively asked questions, creating a lively atmosphere. Dr. Haasis addressed topics such as the challenges of implementing digital twins, data governance, and the future competency requirements for engineers.

Dr. Haasis also visited the University History Museum and the laboratories of School of Mechanical Engineering.

(Source: School of Mechanical Engineering)