In December, HUST held a two-week Research and Academic International Collaboration Online Seminar in collaboration with Duke University, a top research university in the United States. Vice President Chen Jianguo from HUST and Vice Provost Abbas Benmamoun from Duke attended the online opening ceremony on December 6th.

In his welcoming remarks, Abbas Benmamoun said that, as a research university, Duke University provides a platform for broad collaboration among outstanding research teams and scholars while encouraging cutting-edge and cross-disciplinary research. Given the major problems and challenges facing mankind at present, the scientific research of universities calls for not only the cooperation of scholars from different disciplines and backgrounds, but also collaborations among international scientists. Benmamoun acknowledged HUST for organizing the online seminar and wished it success.

In his opening speech, Chen Jianguo said that HUST has attached great importance to and actively promoting international engagement and it has fashioned a fine cornerstone for alignment with Duke University in academic and student exchanges. The joint “Research and Academic International Collaboration Online Seminar” will open a new chapter of further teamwork with Duke. And hopefully it would broaden bilateral exchange platforms and further promote international scientific research collaboration for HUST faculty.

The seminar was held from December 6th to 17th. Six professors from Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill shared their experiences in international scientific research in liberal arts, medical sciences, engineering, management, and other fields. The seven lectures attracted more than 600 teachers and students from the main campus and Tongji Medical College.

Professor Liu Kang, academician of the European Academy of Sciences and director of the China Studies Program at Duke University, focused on contradictions and changes encountered in knowledge, education and systems when integrating Chinese liberal arts into the modern world framework. Professor Walter Lee, director of the Head and Neck Surgery Center of the School of Medicine at Duke University, clarified the key elements of international scientific research partnerships from three dimensions: "interpersonal relations", "common goals", and "investment efficiency". Professor Yiran Chen from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University introduced the importance of vision, resources, and cooperation for young scholars to carry out academic research in line with the characteristics of engineering. Bethany Koi, assistant director of Duke University's Office of Approval and Venture Capital, introduced Duke University’s support of innovation and entrepreneurship, and its efforts to transform their fruits based on joint international scientific research. Professor Song Jingsheng of Duke University's Fuqua School of Business shared international cooperation research and publication cases of supply chain management. Professor Song Yan of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill gave two lectures on "English Paper Writing and Publishing", which analyzed the paper structure and provided abundant practical examples and suggestions.

The seminar aimed to expand the international outlook of teachers and students, and to promote their international scientific research capacity. As the final project of HUST's 2021 "Global Competence Enhancement” scheme, it was the first course focusing on international academic and scientific research cooperation, The course has had a favorable reception.

Having attended all seven online lectures, Lv Qianhang, a 2018 doctoral student of the School of Mechanical Science and Engineering said: “The seminar largely expanded our global vision. Facing the raging COVID-19 epidemic, international exchanges are particularly difficult. Hopefully HUST can help us expand communication and provide us with a good international learning and scientific research environment.” Professor Wu Zengbao from Tongji Hospital said: "Professor Walter Lee shared his experiences in clinical practice, scientific research, and teaching in his work. These are of great reference and guidance for me and my colleagues.”

Written by: Hu Zhenxiang

Edited by: Li Peishan, Scott, Yumeng