On the afternoon of May 12 at the Chengguan Campus, YANG Yongping, president of Lanzhou University (LZU) and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, met with the delegation led by Fabrizio Hochschild-Drummond, former deputy secretary-general of the United Nations (UN) and researcher at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on global governance, sustainable development, and the cultivation of young talents. Also present was ZHANG Ning, vice president of the Chinese Society of Educational Development Strategy and chairman of the International Competence Development Committee.
YANG introduced LZU’s scientific and educational practices of serving the global community while basing its cause in Western China. He pointed out that LZU’s research achievements in areas such as ecological protection, climate change research, and sandstorm control have benefited arid regions worldwide. The university has also cooperated with organizations like the UN’s Environment Programme, the Development Programme, the Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and the Food and Agriculture Organization, focusing on ecological restoration and digitalization of cultural heritage. In recent years, LZU has launched the “Kunpeng Project,” aiming to cultivate young talents with global competence by interdisciplinary training and international internships. This initiative aligns closely with the “practice-oriented education” notion advocated by Mr. Fabrizio. YANG looks forward to deeper cooperation in areas such as youth global competence, drought management, and digital education. The goal is to seek global approaches to local needs associated with young talent cultivation, global drought and regional development, he said.Fabrizio spoke highly of LZU’s research capabilities and responsibility demonstrated in addressing regional environmental challenges. He noted that LZU was the only higher education institution in western China he has visited on this trip. It has developed unique solutions and practices in arid region ecological management and digital education. These achievements not only address development challenges in western China but also provide a Chinese paradigm for global arid governance and sustainable development. He expects to establish a long-term cooperation mechanism with LZU, leveraging the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework to further explore practical collaborations. These includes advancing youth talent development, technology transfer, and knowledge sharing, which will deepen capacity-building and promote technology application in arid regions worldwide. By transforming its local experience into a global public good, the partnership aims to deliver systemic support for tackling transnational challenges such as climate change and the digital divide, he said.
During the meeting, YANG issued a letter of appointment to Fabrizio as the “Senior Advisor for Global Development Planning of Lanzhou University”After the meeting, Fabrizio and his delegation also visited the Management Center of Scientific Observing Stations of the university.
Also present were heads of LZU’s Office of the University and Office of International Cooperation and Exchange.
