From December 5 to 14, Professor Zheng Gang, Vice President of Tianjin University, led a delegation to visit universities in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Spain. The delegation paid visits to renowned universities including the University of Cambridge, Brunel University, University College London, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow, University College Dublin, and Catalonia Polytechnic University.
At the University of Cambridge, Professor John Clarkson, Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and Director of the Cambridge Engineering Design Center, met with the delegation. Vice President Zheng Gang stated that Tianjin University, as China's first modern university and excelled in engineering disciplines, hoped to adopt the systematic thinking from the Cambridge Engineering Design Center to drive the transformation and upgrading of related specialties and enhance the academic standards. He also extended an invitation to Professor John Clarkson to visit Tianjin University at his convenience. Both parties intended to deepen cooperation through reciprocal visits and short-term student projects.
At Brunel University, the delegation was met with Pro Vice-Chancellors Prof. Trevor Hoey and Prof. Hua Zhao. During the meeting, the two parties stressed the importance of collaboration in industrial design, civil engineering, and architecture. They reached a preliminary agreement on the 3+1 joint training program. During the visit, the delegation visited Tianjin University students studying at Brunel.
During the visit to University College London, Barbara Lipietz, The Bartlett Vice Dean International, and Professor Jian Kang met with the delegation. Both parties agreed to establish joint programs for master's and doctoral training, aiming to enhance talent training. They also exchanged views on strengthening collaborative research in the field of architecture.
At the University of Edinburgh, Professor James Smith, Vice-Principal International met with the delegation. Both parties signed an agreement on student joint training. During the visit, the delegation also visited the laboratories in the School of Engineering and had a discussion on strengthening the cooperation in civil engineering disciplines.
At the University of Glasgow, Assistant Vice-Principal (International) Professor William Cushley introduced the University’s achievements in scientific research and student programs, as well as the "Global Glasgow" program. Vice President Zheng Gang hopes that the two universities could continue to expand the level, form and connotation of the student program and further deepen the scientific research cooperation between professors. During the visit, the delegation also had talks with TJU’s students studying at the University of Glasgow.
During the visit to University College Dublin, Professor Aoife Ahern, College Principal, UCD College of Engineering and Architecture, and Dean of Engineering, met with the delegation. Both parties discussed topics such as student exchange programs, joint training program scholarships, short-term student projects, and research collaboration. During the visit, the delegation had discussions with Professor Fang Fengzhou, President of the International Production Engineering Society, and Member of the Royal Irish Academy.
During the visit to Catalonia Institute of Technology (CIT), Vice-rector for International Policy Lourdes Reig Puig met with the delegation. Both parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation. They agreed that it was an opportunity to deepen collaboration, particularly in architecture and civil engineering fields. The agreement aims to further strengthen exchanges between faculty and students, enhance research collaboration, and diversify their cooperation.
During the visit, the delegation held three Development Reports Meetings, and visited relevant Chinese Embassies.
By Zhao Yifan
Editor: Sun Xiaofang
