From June 8 to 14, Vice President Fan Qiwei led a delegation to the UK and Ireland, visiting Heriot-Watt University, the University of Portsmouth, and University College Cork. The delegation aimed to advance pragmatic cooperation between OUC and universities in these two countries, engage with alumni, and hold a ceremonial OUC flag relay event.

At Heriot-Watt University, the delegation met with Principal Richard Williams, Vice Principal and Provost Steve McLaughlin, and other university officials. Both parties praised the success of the collaboration in talent cultivation. Notably, among the first cohort of 83 students from the OUC-Heriot-Watt joint program, 42 received first-class degrees, and 65 were admitted to prestigious institutions such as Imperial College London, University College London, UC San Diego, and the University of Edinburgh for further studies. These achievements highlight the competence of OUC students and the effectiveness of the partnership. Both sides expressed a strong desire to further strengthen cooperation in joint Ph.D. training and project-based research. After the meeting, the delegation visited Heriot-Watt’s School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences as well as its School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, toured the National Robotarium, and discussed the possibility of expanding course teaching and research cooperation to fields such as physics. Additionally, the delegation met with OUC students studying at Heriot-Watt, learned about their academic performance and life abroad, solicited their feedback on the joint program, and organized a flag relay event celebrating OUC’s centenary.

At the University of Portsmouth, the delegation held discussions with Deputy Vice-Chancellor Chris Chang and Pro Vice-Chancellor Bobby Mehta. The two sides reviewed the outcomes of their cooperation in blue governance and discussed ways to enhance research collaboration and student exchanges based on the existing MoU. They also explored practical cooperation in areas such as blue governance, marine engineering, and business management.

In Ireland, the delegation visited the University College Cork (UCC), where the two sides reviewed the positive outcomes achieved since signing the MoU, particularly in academic exchanges and collaborative research. They agreed to expand and solidify cooperation in joint student training and collaborative research in fields such as food science and engineering, environment, and energy. The delegation toured UCC’s Research Center for Energy, Climate, and Marine Research and APC Microbiome Ireland, and discussed the next steps for cooperation.