Beijing, 21st October 2024 (BISTU)--- BISTU delegation headed by Vice President Xiao Zhisong visited Royal Holloway Uninversity of London, University of Cambridge, University College Cork and Technological University Dublin from 13th to 19th October 2024, aiming to enhance cultivation of high-quality innovative talent of applied learning, expand channels of global exchanges and cooperation, further broaden global horizon, and strengthen cross-borader school-running competence.

Xiao Zhisong met with Vice President Giuliana Pieri of Royal Holloway University of London, Professor Paul Robson, Chair in Strategy/Entrepreneurship, Dr. Vinay Nundlall of Department of Economics, Professor Zhiyuan Luo of Department of Computer Science, and Maria Thurston International Partnerships Manager. Following an introduction to RHUL by Vice President Giuliana Pieri, both institutions conducted in-depth discussion on joint cultivation of undergraduate students, postgraduate studies, cross-cultural communication, and services for learning. A memorandum of understanding then was signed on 3+1 and 2+2 undergraduate programs.

Xiao Zhisong and delegation members met with Professor Tawfique Hasan of Electrical Engineering Division and held talks on nano-materials, development of photo electronic technology, and globalized cultivation of students. Xiao Zhisong expressed that cooperation with the University of Cambridge in the frontier field of photo electronics is an important aspect of basic research at BISTU. He commented that future efforts would be to expand the field of cooperation and enhance interaction.

Xiao Zhisong met with Vice President Ursula Kilkelly of University College Cork, Director Christopher Brown of International Office, and Emma Connolly, Strategy Officer. Vice President Ursula Kilkelly spoke highly of the achievements that both institutions have made in the long-standing cooperation and commented that globalized education is a shared vision for both UCC and BISTU with its substantial implications. Emma Connolly produced an introduction to UCC and cooperative programs with BISTU in the past ten years. Both institutions reached consensus on collaboration of the next phase.

Xiao Zhisong and delegation members held three seminars with Professor Dirk Pesch, Head of School of Computer Science and Information Technology, Professor Kevin Hayes, Head of School of Mathematical Sciences, and Prof. Guang Bo Huo of School of Engineering and Architecture. Both institutions discussed reform of talent cultivation and innovation in educational curricula and reached consensus on cultivation of cross-program talents of applied learning, enhancement of practical competences of students, cross-disciplinary research cooperation, and globalized education.

Xiao Zhisong held talks with Professor Pramod Pathak, Dean of Faculty of Computing, Digital and Data at Technological University Dublin, Dr. Colin Hughes, Head of Graduate Business School, and Ger Reilly, Head of Apprenticeship & Further Education of Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment. Following an introduction to latest achievements of BISTU, Xiao Zhisong produced positive comments on previous cooperation between the two institutions. BISTU and TU Dublin have reached consensus in a number of areas, including social development, philosophies of talent cultivation, educational globalization, etc. Both institutions explored cooperation in undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral education and agreed to initiate exchange programs in 2025.

Visits to universities in Great Britain and Ireland are an important move of the University in expanding global cooperation and enhancing the quality of international collaboration. It has positive implications on quality of talent cultivation and improvement of international reputation of the University.

The delegation members included Director Li Zhuo of International Cooperation Department, Deputy Director Wang Liyong of Human Resources Office, and Vice Dean Zhang Wen of School of Instrumentation Science and Opto-electronic Engineering.