ZHENJIANG, CHINA – November 20 – From November 12 to 19, Li Hong, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of Jiangsu University (JSU), led a delegation to the United Kingdom and Italy. The visit aimed to deepen ties with partner universities, participate in the Annual Conference of the Jiangsu-UK World-Class University Consortium, visit the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, and meet with JSU students currently studying abroad.
At Loughborough University, the delegation engaged in in-depth discussions regarding joint training programs involving mutual credit recognition and talent cultivation projects under the China Scholarship Council. A consensus was reached to initiate research collaboration in the fields of electrical engineering, materials science, and automotive engineering. The delegation also toured the Loughborough University London campus to assess facilities and lay the groundwork for future cooperation.
During the visit to the University of Portsmouth, the delegation was warmly welcomed by Executive Deputy Vice-Chancellor Sheila Hoskin, Pro Vice-Chancellor Chris Chang (Zeng Jiancheng), and heads of the Faculty of Technology. Both parties exchanged updates on their respective histories and development goals. They agreed to launch comprehensive international cooperation, including student cultivation, faculty training, and academic seminars, culminating in a signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Following the meeting, the delegation toured the university’s Robotics Laboratory and the Energy and Renewable Energy Laboratory.
A highlight of the UK itinerary was the 2025 Annual Conference of the Jiangsu-UK World-Class University Consortium. The event was hosted by the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education and the British Council, organized by the University of Liverpool, and co-organized by Jiangsu University.
At the Presidents' Forum, Vice President Li Hong delivered a keynote report titled "Global Vision, Local Contribution: JSU's Suggestions on Improving Student Employability." He shared JSU’s experiences and practices in enhancing student career readiness, which received positive responses from the attendees. The conference also successfully passed the consortium's work plan for 2026.
In Italy, the delegation held a bilateral meeting with the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Padua. The visit included a dedicated overseas talent recruitment fair for Jiangsu University. Vice President Li also took the opportunity to visit graduate students from JSU’s Research Center of Fluid Machinery Engineering and the School of Electrical and Information Engineering who are currently studying at Padua. He inquired about their academic and daily lives, encouraging them to excel in their research and return to contribute to their home country.
The delegation also paid a visit to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations headquarters. They met with experts including Josef Kienzle, Leader of the Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization team at the Plant Production and Protection Division, and Jiang Shangchuan, a representative from the Secretariat of the "One Country One Priority Product" (OCOP) initiative. Discussions focused on the prospects of cooperation between JSU’s agricultural engineering disciplines and FAO projects, resulting in a preliminary intent for collaboration.
This visit successfully enhanced mutual trust between JSU and its international partners, expanded the university's global influence, and laid a solid foundation for the open cooperation tasks outlined in the university's upcoming "15th Five-Year Plan."
The delegation included representatives from the Graduate School, the Research Center of Fluid Machinery Engineering and Technology, the School of Agricultural Engineering, and the International Office.
