From June 22 to 29, 2025, Vice President Wang Xinqing led a delegation to visit Brunel University of London (BUL), Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo, and the Confucius Institute at CUT. The delegation members included Bao Fubing (Director of Human Resources Department), Wang Jianqi (Director of International Office), Li Yuntang (Dean of College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering), Xu Yong (Party Secretary of College of Metrology Measurement and Instrument), and Mao Cheng (Dean of Liangxin College).
On June 22, the delegation arrived in London and hosted a recruitment conference at the Hilton London Olympia Hotel in the afternoon. The event featured an overview of CJLU’s development, academic strengths, and national/provincial talent policies. In-depth exchanges were held with six PhDs and postdocs from the University of Liverpool, University of Huddersfield, and University of Leeds. Some of them expressed a strong interest in further engagement with CJLU.
On June 23, the delegation visited Brunel University of London (BUL), a globally recognized public university founded in 1966. BUL is known for its strengths in design, engineering, and law, with over 13,000 students, including more than 2,800 international students. Professor Hua Zhao, Pro Vice Chancellor Research, warmly welcomed the delegation. Participants in the discussions included Dr. Philip Collins (Deputy Dean of College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences), Professor Thanos Megaritis (Head of Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering), Professor Kate Hone (Head of Department of Computer Science), Dr. Ioana Pisica (Director for Education (PGT) of Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering), Dr. Qingping Yang (MSc AMS Course Director of Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering), and Ms Kirsty Smith (Associate Director of Global Engagement). Vice President Wang Xinqing introduced CJLU's academic strengths and reviewed the progress of collaboration between the two institutions. Dr. Philip Collins introduced his college's postgraduate programs and major research projects. The two sides discussed possible areas of research collaboration and held detailed discussions on the “1+1+1” BUL-CJLU Dual Master program, reaching a preliminary agreement to launch it in spring 2026. They also explored cooperation in summer schools, joint research, project applications, and the development of joint labs. After the meeting, the delegation visited the College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences. Dr. Qingping Yang accompanied the delegation on a tour of core engineering labs.
On June 24, the delegation visited Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Cambridge to discuss the establishment of a joint education institution (JEI). ARU, a comprehensive public university founded in 1858, was named University of the Year 2023 by Times Higher Education and currently enrolls around 23,000 students, including more than 9,000 international students. Dr. Mark Norrish, Pro Vice Chancellor for International and Partnerships, welcomed the delegation. Attendees included Dr. Mark Tree (Interim Head of School of Engineering and the Built Environment), Dr. Biniam Ashagre (Deputy Head of School of Engineering and the Built Environment), and Dr. Jin Zhang (Deputy Head of School of Computing and Information Science). Vice President Wang Xinqing introduced CJLU's recent development and reviewed more than a decade’s successful cooperation between the two institutions. The two sides reached a consensus on establishing a joint education institution.
Further discussions were held with Dr. Mark Norrish, Professor Yonghong Peng (Deputy Dean for Research and Innovation of Faculty of Science and Engineering), and Professor Chungui Lu (Professor in Smart Agriculture of Faculty of Science and Engineering) on four key themes: AI in life sciences, agriculture, fintech, and human futures. They reached a preliminary agreement to jointly establish a China–UK AI Research and Knowledge Transfer Center. The delegation also visited ARU's core laboratories and academic facilities.
While in Cambridge, the delegation visited Ma Wanli, a 2019 CJLU graduate now pursuing postdoctoral research. They caught up on his studies and life, gathered his feedback on the university's development, and encouraged him to stay connected with his alma mater.
On June 26, the delegation visited Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) in Limassol. Established in 2003, CUT is one of three public universities in Cyprus, with strengths in engineering, agriculture, marine science, and environmental studies. Dr. Anna Nicolaou, Director of Confucius Institute at CUT, and Professor Xu Hong, Chinese Director of Confucius Institute at CUT, welcomed the delegation and provided an overview of the university and the development of the Confucius Institute. The two sides discussed how to implement the MoU between CUT and CJLU, including summer camps, faculty and student exchanges, and collaborative research.
The delegation also visited the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, where they were received by Professor Christakis Damianou of Department of Electrical Engineering, CUT. At the MRgFUS Lab, Professor Damianou presented the team's latest research in medical ultrasound and MRI-guided focused ultrasound cancer therapy. The two sides discussed potential collaboration in joint research and postgraduate training, and agreed to arrange a visit to CJLU in November for academic exchange.
On June 27, the delegation visited the American University of Beirut (AUB) – Mediterraneo in Paphos. AUB, founded in 1866, launched its Cyprus campus in 2022 as part of its global expansion. Dr. Wassim El Hajj, Rector of AUB Mediterraneo, received the delegation. Attendees included Dr. Salah Sadek (Dean of Faculty of Engineering), Dr. Malek Tabbal (Dean of Faculty of Arts and Sciences), Yiannis Anthis (Head of Administration of Office of the Rector), and Ghina Ramadan (Marketing & Communications Officer). The two sides discussed joint talent cultivation in engineering, explored opportunities to host winter and summer camps, reached consensus on collaboration in joint research and student mobility, and signed a memorandum of understanding.
The delegation also toured the university's laboratories and academic facilities.
On June 28, the delegation held detailed discussions with Professor Xu Hong, Chinese Director of Confucius Institute at CUT, focusing on collaboration between the Confucius Institute at CUT and the Confucius Institute at VSFS in Prague, which was jointly established by CJLU. They also explored cooperation paths with other universities in Cyprus on research and mobility programs.
During the visit, the delegation reached an agreement with Anglia Ruskin University on establishing a joint education institution and preliminarily agreed to jointly build a China–UK Center for AI Research and Knowledge Transfer. An implementation plan for the “1+1+1” dual-master program was finalized with Brunel University of London. A memorandum of understanding was signed with the American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo, and consensus was reached on student exchanges, faculty visits, and research collaboration. All scheduled tasks were successfully completed, and the expected goals were attained. Through this visit, CJLU further consolidated its strategic partnerships with universities in the UK and Cyprus, broadened the scope of collaboration, and contributed to enhancing its international reputation and global outreach.
