From December 4th to 10th, President You Zheng led the HUST delegation to visit key partner universities in the United Kingdom and France. The delegation signed cooperation agreements, held high-level talents round table, met with outstanding scholars and alumni in related fields, and visited HUST’s exchange students in UK and France.

At the University of Manchester, President You Zheng had a meeting with President and Vice-Chancellor Nancy Rothwell and Vice President Martin Schroder. The two parties signed a comprehensive partnership agreement and agreed on several points regarding joint talent training and the establishment of a joint research center. Representatives from the departments of Mechanical Science, Computer Science and Physics exchanged proposals for academic cooperation. The Physics departments of the two universities renewed their joint training agreement.

At the University of Cambridge, President You Zheng met with Richard Penty, Vice President and Dean of the Department of Engineering, and introduced HUST's leading strength in engineering disciplines and the development of the Jushan International Campus of HUST. Richard Penty praised the unique aspects and rapid development of the discipline of optoelectronics at HUST. Both parties agreed to enhance cooperation in relevant fields. President You appointed Professor Chu Daping, Director of Centre for Advanced Photonics and Electronics at Cambridge, as the advisory professor of HUST.

At the Université Paris-Saclay, President You Zheng met and discussed with President Vincent Bouhier, signed Memorandum of Understanding on Sino-France Joint Laboratory and a Student Exchange Memorandum. They also renewed the Memorandum of Understanding between the two universities. Both parties announced that they would enhance and expand scientific research cooperation, building upon the current programs in place. The delegation also met with the student representatives from the joint training programs of the two universities.

At the École Centrale Nantes, President You Zheng met with President Jean-Baptiste Avrillier and renewed the 3+1+2 cooperation agreement on joint talent training. The two parties agreed on several points regarding cooperation in joint education programs and training of outstanding engineers. Scholars from fields such as Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Mechanical Science, Computer Science exchanged proposals for future cooperation with each other.

During the visit, President You Zheng met with the HUST British Alumni Association and the HUST French Alumni Association. The delegation also visited the Consulate General of China in Manchester and the Permanent Delegation of China to UNESCO.

Written by: Han Mingyang

Edited by: Yu Shiyun, Chang Wen, Peng Yumeng