From October 11 to 16, President Wang Fazhou led a delegation from Wuhan University of Technology (WUT) to the United Kingdom and France, visiting Brunel University of London, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), the University of Lorraine (BUL), and Aix-Marseille University (AMU). The visit aimed to strengthen inter-university partnerships, advance high-quality joint education programs, and promote high-level scientific, educational and cultural exchanges. The delegation also held a briefing session on WUT’s talent policies, yielding a series of tangible outcomes.

At BUL, Wang met with Professor Andrew Jones, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University. Wang noted that Wuhan University of Technology Brunel College was an important achievement of cooperation between the two universities and expressed his willingness to deepen collaboration in joint engineering research, talent cultivation, and faculty training. Jones thanked WUT for its efforts in ensuring the high-quality operation of Brunel College. He expressed confidence in the prospects for cooperation and voiced support for joint research and faculty and student exchanges. Both sides agreed to broaden and deepen their partnership and advance concrete collaborative projects. The two universities then held the first meeting of the inaugural Joint Management Committee of Brunel College. Before the talks, the delegation toured Brunel University’s one-stop student service center, library, sports facilities, and other campus facilities.

During his stay in the UK, Wang attended a briefing session on WUT’s talent policies in London, where he introduced the University’s development and engaged in in-depth discussions with faculty members and students.

At UWTSD, Wang met with Professor Elwen Evans, KC, Vice-Chancellor of the University. Wang noted that the two universities had worked together for more than two decades and jointly nurtured many outstanding graduates. He expressed the hope that their partnership would continue to yield fruitful results over the next twenty years. Evans highlighted the longstanding friendship between the two universities and said she was honored to have been invited to participate in major international events hosted by WUT on several occasions. She expressed her willingness to embark on a new phase of cooperation, explore new opportunities, and achieve further collaborative outcomes. Both sides held in-depth discussions and reached specific agreements on the high-quality operation of their joint education programs. Before the talks, the delegation visited UWTSD’s integrated research center, library, and other facilities.

At the University of Lorraine, representatives of the two universities convened a meeting of the Confucius Institute’s Board of Directors to review its annual work and other matters. Wang then met with Hélène Boulanger, President of the University. Wang noted that the Confucius Institute, jointly established by the two universities 15 years ago, had achieved fruitful results and made significant contributions to cultural exchanges between China and France. He expressed WUT’s willingness to expand cooperation into new areas and deepen faculty, student, and cultural exchanges. Boulanger described the Confucius Institute as an important link between the two universities and expressed her willingness to use their partnership as a platform for participating in dialogue among civilizations. Both sides agreed to explore the establishment of joint research platforms based on their respective disciplinary strengths and jointly apply to establish new cooperative education programs.

At AMU, Wang met with Éric Berton, President of the University. Wang noted that the Franco-Chinese Institute (WUT-AMU), jointly established by the two universities, had become a model of educational cooperation between China and France, reflecting the importance both governments attach to cooperation in higher education. He expressed WUT’s willingness to expand collaboration into additional fields, including medicine, natural sciences, and engineering. Berton expressed pride in the joint establishment of the WUT-AMU Institute and said he would continue to promote cooperation between the two universities with openness and sincerity to achieve more tangible outcomes. Both sides held in-depth discussions on exploring new areas of cooperation. Before the talks, the delegation visited relevant laboratories and gained a deeper understanding of AMU’s management and operations, as well as its approaches to student training.

During the visit, Wang and the delegation also met with WUT faculty members, students, and alumni in the UK and France, conveying the University’s care and greetings. Representatives from WUT’s Human Resources Department, International Office, School of Automotive Engineering, School of Future Medicine, and Qihang College participated in relevant activities.

Written by: Qiao Jiang

Rewritten by: Li Huihui

Edited by: Yu Bingjie

Source: International Office