Moving Forward to Educational Opening Up: Zhang Xichun, Chancellor of SCUT, Leads Delegation to Visit Several Universities in the Asia-Pacific Region

2024-06-04 ReadCount:65

Recently, Zhang Xichun, the Chancellor of South China University of Technology (SCUT), was invited to lead a delegation to visit several overseas universities in Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia to further support the opening up of high-level education and fully leverage the demonstration effect of the innovation model of “Internationalization at Home.” The delegation held discussions and signed multiple collaborative agreements with the University of Western Australia (UWA), the University of Canterbury (UC), the University of Otago, Tunku Abdul Rahman University (UTAR), and the University of Malaya (UM). This endeavor aims to facilitate SCUT's advancement in “Internationalization at Home” and “Two Way Approach to Internationalization,” crafting a new and splendid chapter for mutual benefits.

SCUT and UWA Signed the Collaborative Agreement

At UWA, Vice-Chancellor Amit Chakma, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Tim Colmer, and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement) Jennifer Howell met with the delegation. Both parties signed the memorandum of understanding and agreed to collaborate on a 3+2 Bachelor-Master’s Degree Program in three fields: Marine Science and Engineering, Business Administration, and Translation Studies. They also agreed to establish a bilateral joint laboratory in the field of Marine Science and Engineering, conduct mutual technology transfer, and implement 3+1+X joint training programs, gradually advancing comprehensive cooperation in emerging engineering at the Guangzhou International Campus (GZIC). Additionally, both parties pledged to leverage the unique innovation and entrepreneurship advantages and alumni resources of SCUT in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to create a flagship program between SCUT and UWA, enhancing the leading and demonstration effects of the cooperation.

After the meeting, the delegation visited student representatives from SCUT studying at UWA.

Meeting with UC

At UC, the delegation held in-depth discussions with Assistant Vice-Chancellor Engagement Brett Berquist and other relevant representatives. Both parties reached an agreement to establish a joint laboratory as a platform formaking faculty exchanges, collaborative research, and student cultivation a regular mechanism. They aim to conduct high-level talent training, promote mutual technology transfer, and set a new benchmark for international cooperation in higher education between China and New Zealand.

Meeting with the University of Otago

The University of Otago, with its prestigious history, is one of New Zealand's oldest and most esteemed institutions. The delegation from SCUT engaged in discussions with Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Enterprise, Richard Blaikie, and scholars from the university's engineering fields. Both parties intend to explore the establishment of regular student exchange mechanisms and joint programs in fields such as Renewable Energy, Intelligent Manufacturing, Biomedical Science, and Computer Science for graduate and postgraduate studies.

SCUT and UTAR Singed the Collaborative Agreement

At UTAR, President Ir Prof. Dato' Dr. Ewe Hong Tat, Vice President of Internationalization and Academic Development Ir Prof. Dr. Goi Bok Min, and others engaged in deep discussions with the delegation, signing the memorandum of understanding and agreement for student exchange. During the meeting, Zhang Xichun shared the outstanding achievements and classic cases of SCUT’s innovation model of “Internationalization at Home,” proposing collaboration with UTAR to promote continued cooperation in areas such as 2+2 student joint training programs and scientific research.

Meeting with UM

Over the years, SCUT and UM have maintained close cooperation in the field of Materials. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Kaharudin Dimyati, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Yvonne Lim Ai Lian, and others held meetings with the delegation and signed a memorandum of understanding. In the future, both parties will deepen existing cooperation and broaden the scope of collaboration to enhance the influence of both universities in Asia and globally.

Visit the Chinese Consulate-General in Christchurch

During the visit, the delegation also paid a special visit to theChinese Consulate-General in Christchurch, engaging in in-depth discussions with Consul General He Ying about the outstanding achievements of SCUT’s “Internationalization at Home” and its cooperation with New Zealand. He Ying highly praised SCUT's educational philosophy and achievements, also offering valuable suggestions for cooperation and exchanges between SCUT and universities in New Zealand.

Building a strong education nation is a fundamental task for fully advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through a Chinese path to modernization. Currently, China's education is further consolidating its trend of openness and high-quality development with the world. In the new journey of realizing the modernization of Chinese education, SCUT adheres to assisting high-level education in opening up, fully leveraging the demonstration effect of the innovation model of “Internationalization at Home, continuously promoting the “Two Way Approach to Internationalization,” making the voice of China and SCUT heard, and telling China and SCUT’s stories well. In the meantime, SCUT’s global circle of friends continues to expand, and the development of educational openness is increasingly highlighted.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Australia and China-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, as well as the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia. At this important juncture, SCUT carefully planned this visit to important partners in the Asia-Pacific region, innovated exchange modes, consolidated bilateral cooperation, and achieved a series of breakthroughs, effectively empowering the high-quality development of SCUT and accelerating the construction of world-class universities with Chinese characteristics.

The delegation included the Directors and relevant representatives from the Institute of Science and Technology, the Office of Teaching Affairs of GZIC, the Shien-Ming Wu School of Intelligent Engineering, the College of Continuing Education, and the Guangdong Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy Laboratory (Guangzhou).


Translator: Yaxin Zhang

Initial Proofreader: Sheng Gao

Final Proofreader: Zhaosheng Wu


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