HARMAN has completed an agreement with China’s Southeast University to conduct joint testing and R&D for vehicle networking.  The initial five-year partnership will focus in part on development of defined standards for vehicle networking system and test technology.  HARMAN will provide an initial 1.5 million Yuan ($230,000) in funding for the joint project, while gaining access to the university’s leading scientists and technicians.  

The move follows several recent HARMAN strategic initiatives in China, including new engineering and manufacturing facilities in Shanghai, Suzhou and Shenzhen.  Most recently, HARMAN has launched construction of a new engineering and manufacturing site in the northern city of DanDong, which will become the company’s largest operation worldwide upon completion in mid 2011. 

HARMAN currently employs about 1200 in China, and expects to more than double this count upon completion of the new facility. The Company operates a flagship showroom in Shanghai, and has supported numerous high-profile events including the Beijing Olympic Games, China National Day celebration, and Miss Universe China Pageant.

Southeast University (SEU) is one of the key national universities administered directly under the Ministry of Education of China. It is also one of the first universities accredited to determine and approve the qualifications of professors, associate professors and doctorial supervisors. SEU is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in China, tracing its origins to 1902, when it was founded as Sanjiang Normal College. The university’s campuses, including Sipailou, Jiulonghu and Dingjiaqiao, cover more than 427 hectares and serve more than 60 undergraduate disciplines as well as graduate programs ranging to the post-doctoral level.

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