From November 3 to 10, Li Xiaojun, Deputy Secretary of CPC SDJU Committee and Vice President, led a delegation on a visit to Britain and Spain. The visit further enhanced understanding and exchanges, built trust, expanded SDJU’s internationalization, and strengthened in-depth development of education, teaching and research. The delegation visited Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and L'Escola Universitària Salesiana de Sarrià (EUSS).
On the morning of November 4, SDJU delegation visited LJMU. Professor Christian Matthews, Deputy Faculty pro-Vice Chancellor , Professor Rob Darlington, Program Leader of the School of Engineering, Professor Robyn Pyne, Associate Dean of Global Engagement Department, Doctor Julia Wang, Director of the International Relations, Doctor Russell English, Associate Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Doctor Karl Jones,Subject Head of Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Doctor Johan Coetsee,Programme and Subject Lead from Business School and Doctor Victoria Jackson, Programme Leader from Business School, warmly welcomed the delegation. Professor Matthews first introduced LJMU and highly praised the achievements of cooperation between the two universities. Afterwards, Vice President Li provided an update on the latest developments of SDJU, the history of friendly cooperation with LJMU and the intention for further cooperation. The two sides discussed student training, faculty development and other areas of mutual interest. During the meeting, both institutions renewed their Memorandum of Understanding for further cooperation. Later, the delegation, under the guidance of Julia Wang and other LJMU representatives toured the campus, and visited Advanced Manufacturing Technology Research Laboratory (AMTReL), Immersive Experience Lab, Global Center for Maritime Innovation, etc.
On the afternoon of November 4, the delegation held in-depth talks with the key representatives and subject heads from School of Engineering and Business School. The two sides focused on advancing 3+1 credit recognition program, student exchange program, and arrangements for LJMU faculty to participate in SDJU’s Excellent Overseas Teacher Program for short-term teaching. Additionally, both sides explored to expand collaboration on 3.5+1 master’s program, as well as the integrated master’s and PhD program. In the meeting, both sides expressed strong commitment to deepening cooperation and reached a consensus on furthering collaborative initiatives.
On November 5, the delegation visited MMU. Professor Eric Lou, Head of International for Faculty of Science and Engineering,Professor Muhammad Ijaz, International Lead for Department of Engineering, Professor Dario Dieck, Deputy Head of Department and Department International Lead for Department of Operations, Technology, Events and Hospitality Management (OTEHM),Professor Jonathan Pitt, International Recruitment Manager, and faculty representative of Business School and Faculty of Science and Engineering extended a warm welcome to the delegation. It was the first time of our university to visit MMU. The head of our delegation introduced the basic situation of our university and presented the talent cultivation model of “dual deans, dual subject heads, and dual tutors”. Professor Eric Lou introduced the history, student, campus distribution and program offering of MMU. SDJU heads from School of Mechanical Engineering and School of Business provided overviews of their respective schools, including program structure as well as cooperative proposals. Both sides engaged in a lively discussion on teaching and research, experiences of industry-education integration, and explored opportunities for short-term student exchange, 3.5+1 master’s degree program, 0.5+1+0.5 dual-degree master program, and integrated master’s and PhD program in business. Both sides expressed a strong willingness to cooperate.
On November 7, the delegation visited UAB in Spain. Professor Ian Blanes, Director of School of Engineering, Professor KatjaSchustakowitz, Director of the International Relations Office, and Ms. Montserrat,International-Institutional Manager, warmly received the delegation. Professor Ian Blanes introduced the basic situation of UAB and shared programs and research achievements of the school. And then Vice President Li introduced SDJU and the four full English-taught programs, and discussed the international cooperation on training innovative talents. We also invited UAB professors to participate in Intelligent Manufacturing Forum and other international forums held by SDJU every year, to visit and teach short-term courses, and to apply for Excellent Overseas Teachers of Shanghai. The two sides discussed the possibility of faculty exchange, academic cooperation, and research collaboration, and reached a consensus on encouraging short-term student exchange, summer course teaching and academic exchanges. After the meeting, the delegation toured the campus, library and other facilities under the guidance of Katja Schustakowitz.
On November 8, the delegation visited the EUSS, Spain. The delegation was warmly received by Professor Ignasi Florensa, Director of EUSS, Professor Pablo Sevilla, Head of Mechanics Department at School of Engineering, Professor Keivan Amirbagheri, Head of Industrial Organization Engineering Department, and Jordi Cruz Sanchez, International Relations Manager. Director Ignasi Florensa introduced the history, student population, program offerings and close cooperation with enterprises of EUSS. The head of the delegation introduced the basic situation of our university and conveyed the high praise from a EUSS student currently studying in our university. Both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding for inter-university cooperation. Later, head of SDJU School of Mechanical Engineering (SME) gave an overview of SME, its programs and cooperative initiatives. The two sides recognized a high degree of similarity in education integration teaching models and engaged in-depth communication about student exchange program, credit recognition program, and master’s degree program. EUSS professors expressed their desire to apply for Excellent Overseas Teacher Program to teach short-term courses at our university. Finally, the delegation toured the campus and a series of laboratories in School of Engineering, led by Doctor Carlos and Jordi Cruz Sanchez.
These visits deepened the friendship with our partner universities, expanded relations, enhanced understanding, promoted interaction, and laid a solid foundation for future academic exchanges and joint cultivation projects, providing broader platforms and opportunities for SDJU to further implement the internationalization strategy and enhance its level of internationalization.
