From June 11th to June 21st, Ma Jianhui, Vice Chair of the University Committee of HUST, led a delegation to Europe and visited University College London, the Medical University of Vienna, the Université Paris Cité, the Institut d’Optique Graduate School (IOGS), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Permanent Mission of China to UNESCO, to further promote international exchange and cooperation, discuss new training models for high-level talent and seek new opportunities for high-quality international development.

At IOGS, Ma and Rémi Carminati, President of the university, renewed the 3+3 dual degree program cooperation agreement, reviewed the program’s previous operation, discussed the two universities’ innovative achievements and cooperation prospects in the field of optoelectronic talent training and the integrated development of industry-academia-research-application. Rémi Carminati fully affirmed the excellent academic performance of HUST’s students and stated that HUST is IOGS’s most important partner in China, emphasizing that it is an important initiative for the two universities to strengthen partnership and cooperation in optoelectronics.

HUST delegation visiting IOGS

At the Medical University of Vienna, Ma Jianhui and Michaela Fritz, Vice President for Foreign Affairs at the university, signed a memorandum of cooperation between the two universities and held in-depth discussions on promoting exchange programs, clinical internships, faculty visits and collaborative research in medicine. Lei Fengyun, Science and Technology Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Austria, and Li Shuren, professor of the Medical University of Vienna, were also present at the meeting.

HUST delegation visiting the Medical University of Vienna

At Université Paris Cité, Ma Jianhui met with Antoine Cazé, Vice President for Foreign Affairs at the university. After reviewing the achievements of their six-year cooperation, they further discussed the possibility of talent training and cooperative research around “French+”. They then reached an agreement on continuing student exchange programs between the two universities and building a better platform for both faculties and students. Representatives from the School of Foreign Languages of HUST attended a meeting with representatives from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Department of Linguistics of Université Paris Cité, and reached a series of important agreements on cultivating inter-disciplinary talent.

HUST delegation visiting Université Paris Cité

At the UNIDO, Ma Jianhui held a meeting with Deputy Director-General Yuko Yasunaga and his colleagues, focusing on further expanding the possibility of internship programs at UNIDO for HUST teachers and students. Ma pointed out that international development is the inevitable course toward building a world-class university, and that it is important to provide more opportunities for students to take up internships in international organizations to enhance their global competence. Yuko Yasunaga, first spoke highly of the performance of HUST interns from the China-EU Institute for Clean and Renewable Energy at HUST. He further pointed out that the two universities have great potential for cooperation in the three major domains of energy, Industry 4.0 and circular economy. Going forward, he believes that both sides can focus on digital innovation and sustainable development to further deepen cooperation, and welcomed HUST to send high-level talent to UNIDO.

HUST delegation visiting the UNIDO

During the visit to Vienna, Ma and his colleagues also met with Dr. Heinz Fischer, former President of Austria, and main officials from the Austria-China Friendship Association (ACFA), and held a discussion on Sino-Austrian cooperation.

HUST delegation visiting the former President of Austria

At University College London, Ma Jianhui met with Ciaran Moynihan, Director of Global Engagement at the university, and his colleagues. They reviewed the two universities’ past cooperation in architecture, medicine, optoelectronics and other disciplines, and held an in-depth discussion on deepening inter-college partnership, creating diversified student exchange programs, and increasing interdisciplinary contact with scholars from different areas. HUST representatives from the School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering reached preliminary cooperation intentions on research projects and the “3+1+1” joint cultivation program with The Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment and the School of Engineering of UCL.

HUST delegation visiting University College London

During the visit to the Permanent Mission of China to UNESCO, Ma Jianhui held a discussion with Yang Jin, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of China to UNESCO, focusing on the overall construction plan for HUST’s Global Competence Cultivation Class. He also listened to opinions and suggestions by the Permanent Mission on various measures taken by universities to enhance students’ global competence and optimize the structure of talent cultivation.

HUST delegation visiting Permanent Mission of China to UNESCO

This visit to HUST’s European partner universities and international organizations was an important initiative for HUST in “Going Global” under the new situation and carrying out the university’s “Global Strategy 2030”. It was of great significance in further optimizing and expanding the university’s cooperation network within Europe and promoting the cultivation of high-level international talent. High-level officials and representatives from the Office of International Affairs, Center of Career Guidance and Service, Office of Undergraduate Education, School of Foreign Languages, and School of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering participated in the visit together.

Written by: Wang Xinyi

Edited by: Qu Mengting, Chang Wen, Peng Yumeng