The delegation led by Wang Hansong, Secretary of the CPC Committee of LZU was invited to visit Royal Holloway University of London, University of Portsmouth, Wolverhampton University, Sheffield University, Oxford University Chemical Laboratory, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Italian National Research Institute for Water Resources Protection and International University College of Turin from October 21 to 28, to expand exchanges and deepen cooperation between LZU and universities and research institutes in Europe. Staffs from the Party Affair Office, International Cooperation and Exchange Office, School of Western Environment and Climate Change, and School of Mathematics and Statistics of LZU were accompanying Wang on the trip.
In the Royal Holloway University of London, Wang Hansong held talks with Professor Paul Layzell, president of Royal Holloway University of London, Professor Rob Kemp, vice president and Professor Paul Hogg and others. Both sides reviewed the development of student and staff exchanges between the two universities and the "3 + 2 + 2" cooperation program since the exchange agreement was signed in 2011, and exchanged views in jointly establishing the Confucius Institute. After the talks, Wang Hansong and Paul Layzell on behalf of two universities respectively signed the "Memorandum of Cooperation Between Lanzhou University and Royal Holloway University of London". During the visit, the delegation also visited the library and dormitories, and LZU students studying in the Royal Holloway University of London.
In Portsmouth University, Wang Hansong held talks with Professor Graham Galbraith, president of Portsmouth University, Professor Paul Hayes, vice president and Professor Pal Ahluwalia. Wang talked to Galbraith about the unique geographical location, advantages and characteristics of disciplines, development status and goals of LZU. He stated that LZU and the University of Portsmouth shared similarities in schooling size, academic settings and educational objectives, and proposed to carry out cooperation in exchange visits of teachers and students and joint training of graduate students. Galbraith believed the LZU’s visit served a good start for bilateral cooperation, expressed the hope that Portsmouth University and LZU would establish a partnership as soon as possible and sign an cooperation agreement in the exchange visits of students and teachers. After the meeting, the delegation also met with people in charge from the School of Materials, Physics, Geography, and Mathematics of Portsmouth University.
In the University of Wolverhampton, Wang met with Professor Jacie Dunne, executive vice president of the University of Wolverhampton, and exchanged views in the exchange visits of students and faculty and expanding areas of scientific cooperation. After the talks, the two sides signed the “Academic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement Between Lanzhou University and Wolverhampton University". During the visit, the delegation also held talks with people in charge from the International Cooperation Office and Office of Overseas Education Center of the University of Wolverhampton.
In the University of Sheffield, Wang met with Professor Richard Jones, acting president of the University of Sheffield. Professor Jones extended a warm welcome to the delegation, hoping that this visit would serve as an opportunity to promote cooperation between the two universities in many fields. Wang briefed the basic situation of LZU and stated that LZU had always adhered to the goal of building an internationally renowned high-level research university, and to this end, LZU attached great importance to cooperation with the international high-level universities like Sheffield University, hoping that both sides would become good partners to enhance the scientific research and international fame of both sides. During the visit, members of the delegation exchanged views with people in charge and experts from Schools of Materials Engineering, Geography and Mathematics. The two sides agreed to sign the cooperation agreement and carry out cooperation projects as soon as possible. The delegation also visited the Student Entrepreneurship Center and communicated with staffs and students there.
In Oxford University, the delegation led by Wang visited the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory of Oxford University and communicated with people in charge of the laboratory. The lab head briefed the history and overview of the Chemistry Department and Laboratory. The two sides would enhance cooperation in research and student training and the industry-university-research cooperation and sign cooperation agreements as soon as possible.
In the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Wang met with Dr. Huq Ejza, director of the laboratory, and the two sides signed the "Memorandum of Cooperation between Lanzhou University and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory". During the visit, Wang introduced the profile of LZU and its important disciplines like physics and chemistry. He believed that Rutherford Appleton Laboratory boasted to be an internationally renowned laboratory with excellent equipments and highly qualified professionals, and the two sides would have great potential for cooperation in the field of personnel exchanges and student training. Dr. Huq extended his warm welcome to LZU teachers and students for short-term exchange and learning, and looked forward to cooperation bewteen the two sides in personnel training and joint application of international projects.
During the visit to Britain, the delegation also visited the Chinese Embassy in Britain, exchanged views with Shen Yang, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy in strengthening cooperation between LZU and British universities.
During the visit to Italy, Wang met with Dr. Fausto Guzzetti, director of the Italian National Research Institute for Water Resources Protection, hoping that the two sides would expand cooperation fields on the basis of existing cooperation. During the visit, two sides signed the “Academic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement between Lanzhou University and Italian National Research Institute for Water Resources Protection".
In the International University College of Turin, President Robert Louvin briefed the overall situation of the school. He pointed that since 2008 when the two sides signed the agreement, LZU had sent 15 outstanding students to the International University College of Turin, hoping more LZU students and teachers would come and study there. Wang suggested that the two sides extend cooperation fields from education to culture. During the visit, the two sides signed the “Cooperation Agreement between Lanzhou University and International University College of Turin".
During the visit, LZU and the Royal Holloway University of London, Wolverhampton University, International University College of Turin renewed the cooperation agreements; LZU signed new cooperation agreements with the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and Italian National Research Institute for Water Resources Protection; and LZU also reached consensus in carrying out follow-up cooperation and signing exchange agreements with University of Portsmouth and Sheffield University.
(Translated by Li Yafeng; proofread by Sissi Xu)
