To further strengthen international exchanges and cooperation and promote the internationalization of our university, Vice President Yang Junjie led a delegation to Australia and Japan from September 15 to 21, 2024, visiting Curtin University, University of Western Australia, Edith Cowan University in Australia, and Kanagawa University in Japan respectively. The visits aimed to consolidate existing cooperative relationships, explore new modes of cooperation, and provide more opportunities for international exchanges for students and faculty.
On the morning of September 16, SDJU delegation visited Curtin University in Australia. The delegation was warmly received by Professor Linley Lord, Vice President of Curtin University, Professor Guy Harris, Deputy Director of Global Partnerships & Development, Professor Ahmed Abu-Siada, head of Head of Electrical Engineering, and Ms. Saba Amanuel, International Partnership Consultant. Vice President Lord introduced the history of Curtin University, its student, campuses, and disciplines. Afterwards, Vice President Yang, head of SDJU delegation, introduced the basic situation of SDJU and shared the incentive policies of Lin-gang Special Area. Vice Dean of School of Electrical Engineering and the professor of School of Electronics and Information Engineering introduced in detail their respective discipline settings, curriculums and research focuses. Both sides reviewed the successful experience of the 2+2 double degree and credit recognition program since the signing of MOU in 2023, and had an in-depth discussion on further cooperation of undergraduate 2+2 double degree program and graduate 1+1 double degree program.
On September 17, the delegation visited the University of Western Australia (UWA). UWA President, Professor Amit Chakma, Vice President, Professor Jennifer Howell, Professor David Huang from School of Engineering, and Ms. Rachel Darovic, Global Engagement Manager, warmly welcomed the delegation. Professor Chakma highly appreciated SDJU’s quick decision and implementation of the 3+1+1 combined bachelor’s/master’s double degree program with UWA. Our delegation introduced the historical background of SDJU, our close connections with enterprises, and our talent cultivation model with double deans, double department heads and double tutors. Both sides discussed the 2+2 double degree program and 3+1+1 combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program in engineering. Meanwhile, UWA expressed its interest in our industry-education integration teaching mode, and hoped to send German majors to our university for exchange and study, and to visit German enterprises in Lin-gang Special Area. Finally, the two universities signed MOU.
On September 18, the delegation visited Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Australia. The delegation was greeted by Professor Helen Vella Bonavita, Dean (International Relations), Paulo De Souza, Executive Dean of the School of Engineering (SE), Ms. Fengmei Guo, International Account Manager, and SE Professor Laichang Zhang. Dean Helen highlighted ECU history of being founded by Ms. Edith Cowan and its commitment to educational equity. Professor Paulo shared SE’s disciplines and research achievements. Both sides discussed the possibility of cooperation on 2+2 double degree program and combined bachelor’s/master’s degree program. In view of the fact that SDJU was approved International Cooperative Program for Cultivating Innovative Talents by China Scholarship Council (CSC) last year, we proposed to send graduate students to ECU for doctoral degree program and invite ECU professors to teach or give lectures in SDJU. In addition, the delegation also visited laboratory facilities of School of Science (SS) and SE under the guidance of Professor Laichang Zhang and Paul Haskell-Dowland, Associate Dean for Computing and Security of SS, and was deeply impressed by its efficient management. Finally, the two universities renewed MOU.
On September 20, the delegation visited Kanagawa University (KU) in Japan. The delegation was received by Professor Makoto Oguma, KU President, Professor Yamazaki Toru, Dean of Graduate School, Professor Tamura Tadahisa, Dean of Faculty of Engineering, and Professor Takanokura Masato, Deputy Director of International Center, etc. President Oguma facilitated the communication between the two sides with his profound background of Sinology and fluent Chinese. The two sides had an in-depth discussion on the future mode of cooperation. Since KU has been selected as one of the three partner universities for CSC scholars, we hope to send outstanding graduate students to KU to continue their doctoral studies, and to encourage young SDJU faculty to KU as visiting scholars or postdoctoral researchers. In addition, the two institutions have agreed to enroll students in summer programs starting next year to promote mutual understanding and cultural exchange between young people of the two countries.
Through these visits, our university has not only deepened the friendship with these internationally renowned universities, but also laid a solid foundation for future academic exchanges and joint training programs. We look forward to realizing more substantial cooperation results in the near future and jointly promoting the development of higher education.
