From July 13th to 19th, a delegation led by President Zhang Junfeng visited University of Tasmania, University of Adelaide in Australia and University of Canterbury in New Zealand, with an aim to deepen cooperation between OUC and the universities. The visit has achieved positive outcomes.
The delegation visited University of Tasmania and held discussions with Vice-Chancellor Rufus Black. Both of them agreed that the two universities have achieved fruitful results in joint talent cultivation and scientific collaboration since the establishment of the partnership. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of partnership and the 100th anniversary of OUC, two universities plan to further expand and deepen cooperation. Based on the Sino-foreign cooperative education project in marine science, the two sides will broaden and enhance cooperation to extend joint talent cultivation from the “2+2” and “2+3” undergraduate programs to master’s and doctoral programs, and advance the construction of China-Tasmania Joint Research Center, , thus deepening strategic cooperation between the two universities in various fields. The delegation visited the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies and reached consensus for further cooperation in multiple fields such as polar research. They also met with students from OUC studying at University of Tasmania and held meetings to learn about their study and living situations, solicit suggestions for project optimization, explain OUC’s talent policies, and encourage students to join and contribute to OUC after completing their studies overseas.
The delegation visited University of Adelaide and engaged in discussion with Vice-Chancellor and President Peter Høj and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Jessica Gallagher. The two sides reviewed the substantial outcomes of their close cooperation in talent cultivation, scientific research and academic exchanges. They fully acknowledged the outstanding achievements and exemplary role of Haide College, a cooperative education institution, and reached consensus to further deepen strategic cooperation and continuously expand joint cultivation of innovative talents as well as collaborative research in multidisciplinary fields.
President Zhang Junfeng and Vice-Chancellor Peter Høj renewed the Haide College Project Agreement on behalf of the two universities, marking a new phase of cooperation.
The delegation held a round-table meeting with heads of School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, School of Computer and Mathematical Sciences, School of Agriculture and Food, School of Biological Sciences, School of Chemistry and Earth Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, and School of Chemical Engineering to delve into discussions on cooperation. The delegation attended the commencement ceremony (also the opening ceremony for freshmen) of the first batch of Haide College students. Both President Zhang Junfeng and Pro Vice-Chancellor Suzanne Le Mire delivered speeches. They congratulated the Haide College students who graduated with excellent performances, welcomed the new students, and expressed their high expectations.
The delegation visited the Chinese Consulate General in Adelaide and held discussions with Consul General Li Dong. President Zhang Junfeng introduced OUC’s development as well as its exchanges and cooperation with Australian universities. Consul General Li Dong expressed support for deepening inter-university cooperation between OUC and Australian universities, so as to strive for more outstanding results in the practical cooperation of joint talent cultivation and collaborative scientific research and make new contributions to promoting friendly exchanges between China and Australia.
The delegation visited University of Canterbury in New Zealand and had in-depth discussions with Deputy Vice-Chancellor Catherine Moran and Assistant Vice-Chancellor Brett Berquist. They reviewed the achievements made in faculty and student exchanges and collaborative research since the signing of Memorandum of Cooperation between the two universities and reached intentions to further strengthen practical cooperation in areas including marine science, polar research, and foreign languages and literature.
