DeTao Academy: In Search for Innovation

„Wisdom is the power that develops civilization.“ That is the vision of George Lee, founder of DeTao Group in Shanghai, China, which aims at creating a worldwide network of thought leaders from all disciplines to find new pathways for sustainable growth. Klaus Hesse, professor for Conceptual Design and Dean of Department Visual Communication at the Hochschule für Gestaltung in Offenbach has been elected to join the ranks as DeTao Master of Identity, Design and Communication. For years Hesse has been also teaching in China, Australia and South Africa. DeTao believes that each of the world's experts in their field have accumulated enormous wisdom. DeTao brings such leading masters together from around the world to have them share their knowledge with apprentices in a learning system that goes beyond conventional degree studies. The DeTao masters aim at nurturing professional elites into consulting with organisations and enterprises that depend on such expertise. The movement feels inspired by the ancient Chinese notion of the 'master class', which has gained traction around the world. DeTao's portfolio spans a range of disciplines from real estate and financial service to culture and education. 

So far, DeTao has recruited over 500 masters, including fellows of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, the Royal Society, and the Academy of Science of the Royal Society of Canada, as well as professors of Oxford, Harvard, Yale, Cornell, UC Berkeley, Caltech, and University of Southern California, and winners of prizes like the Oscar, Emmy, Red Dot (highest industrial design award), Compasso d'Oro, Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, and Humboldt Prize. They represent 25 countries. The masters gather in so called 'studios' on four platforms: education and training, research and development, commercialization, and industrial investment. Their ambition ranges from “helping Chinese cities embrace green transition“, “driving the education sector“, “aiding large enterprises in accomplishing technical upgrading” to “developing the next-generation leaders” and “help China grow in a sustainable manner“. Klaus Hesse is part of the master studio cluster DeTao Shanghai Centre, a joint venture created in cooperation with the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts to focus on the cultural and creative industries. The studio model is also planned for Tokyo, Los Angeles, Paris and Luxembourg.