The Sino-European Laboratory in Computer Science, Automation and Applied Mathematics, LIAMA, is a research hub, hosted by CASIA, the Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Created by INRIA and CAS in January 1997, LIAMA conducts research, training and transfer projects in Computer Science, Automation and Applied Mathematics. Each research project of LIAMA is a cooperation between European and Chinese researchers, and is hosted by a partner institution in China.
Created as a Sino-French laboratory, it became a Sino-European laboratory in 2008, with new European (non-French) members joining the LIAMA Consortium. LIAMA then entered a new phase of international cooperation, expanding its research fields and disciplines, with increased involvement of its members.
Formally, LIAMA is a Consortium of Member Institutions: Founding Members support the lab infrastructure and resources and are in charge of executive decisions; Associated Members support projects. The LIAMA strategy, action plans and budget are decided by a Steering Committee from Members representatives. The Steering Committee meets annually. LIAMA operations are managed by a Directorate, formed by a Chinese Director and a European Director, assisted by a Scientific Coordinator.
LIAMA runs scientific research projects, aiming at worldwide excellence. Each project is hosted in China by a Host institution, which must be a Member. Scientific projects from LIAMA are evaluated regularly (every 4 years) by a Visiting Committee. LIAMA projects also contribute to training and education with PhD. Students, post-doctorate fellowship, and internships.
LIAMA's missions are:
To setup joint research projects between Chinese and European scientists and institutions ;
To strengthen relations between the academic and industrial communities in China and Europe ;
To develop research-based training of Chinese and European students and scientists.
In June 2008, LIAMA was selected by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology as a “National Center for International Research” to reinforce the cooperation potential in the fields of ICT.
LIAMA also encourages the development of open source software development in both geographical regions.