The five experts, accompanied by Prof. Zhu Lianqing, were showed around labs on campus and held talks with faculties and students. Following their affirmation of current achievements and progresses in the labs, experts commented that these achievements would play an important role in optical fiber sensing and other interdisciplinary research. Faculties and students of BISTU expressed that interaction with leading global experts has broadened their research horizon, inspired their enthusiasm, and motivated them to pursue excellence.

The academic seminar was held on the afternoon when five experts delivered reports on latest progress and experiences in photonic detection and testing technology and instrument. Prof. Grattan offered an in-depth introduction to optical fiber sensors and their application in industrial measurement. He commented that optical fiber sensing technology provided a possibility that optical sensing could be an alternative for all related areas, which was a major pathway for new instrument and new measurement. Heated discussions were conducted centering on several key issues. Prof. Lewis introduced current researches and achievements of the University of Limerick in photonics and optical fiber sensors. Prof. Gusulfino shared his achievements and experiences in intelligent manufacturing of advanced instruments. Prof. Mignani shared her achievements in frontier research of food multispectral sensing. And Prof. Smith explained accreditation system at Institute of Measurement and Control and explored the possibility of collaboration with BISTU.

Director Zhu Lianqing of MOE Key Laboratory of Photo Electronics Measurement and Testing Technology and Instruments, together with over a hundred young faculties, postgraduates, and doctoral students attended the seminar. Fruitful discussions on optical fiber sensing and instruments benefits attendees a lot. Experts affirmed research achievements of the Lab and expressed their hope to work together in related fields to promote innovative development of instrumentation science and technology.

The visit and seminars greatly enhanced Sino-foreign academic exchange and communication and strengthened BISTU’ reputation and academic influence in the field of instrument.

Introduction to experts:

Prof. Kenneth TV Grattan, Fellow of Royal Academy of Engineering, received the national honour of Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2018 from Her Majesty the Queen. Currently he is the professor at City University London. He was elected President of the International Measurement Confederation (IMEKO) in 2014, serving from 2015 to 2018. He was elected to the Royal Academy of Engineering, the UK National Academy of Engineering, in 2008. He received the Friendship Award from Chinese Government in 2019. He has published over 700 papers and 5 monographs on optical fiber sensing technology.

Prof. Elfed Lewis, Director of Optical Fibre Sensors Research Centre at University of Limerick, is Fellow of Institute of Physics, IET and Senior member IEEE. He has authored and co authored more than 180 journal papers, inclusive of over 180 SCI-indexed ones, and held 9 patents on Optical Fibre Sensor Devices. In 2005 he was recipient of the University of Limerick Special Achievement in Research Award and was a Fulbright Scholar with CREOL (University of Central Florida) in 2008.

Prof. Roberto Gusulfino graduated in Electronic Engineering in 1981 at the Polytechnic of Turin with specialization in Controls and Automation is currently General Director of Endress+Hauser Italia SpA, President of the FieldComm Group Italy Consortium for the support of Foundation Fieldbus, Hart communication and FDI technologies in Italy. An eclectic and pragmatic person, he is a constant stimulus for the secretariat to adopt the changes that have made and make GISI one of the most proactive associations.

Prof. Anna Grazia Mignani, Director of Institute of Applied Physics of the National Research Council of Italy, is a famous expert in optical fiber sensing. She has authored four monographs and over 150 journal articles and holds 7 patents. In addition to over 20 projects in Italy, she chaired 7 global projects in the field of optical fiber sensing technology.

Prof. Steff Smith, Chief Executive of Institute of Measurement and Control, co-founder of National Metrology Skills Alliance, technical officer of British Measurement and Testing Association, and member of Society of Women Engineers.