From July 23 to July 29, 2023, at the invitation of Bath Spa University (BSU) in the UK and the Silesian University of Technology (SUT) in Poland, Vice President Chen Zhiguo led a delegation to visit the two universities, with an aim to advance international cooperation and exchanges. Other members of the delegation included Zou Kun, Secretary of CPC General Branch of the School of Education, Tan Fengliang, Secretary of CPC General Branch of the College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Liu Li, Director of the Alumni Office, and Huang Min, Director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Office.

During the visit to BSU, Prof. Chen Zhiguo had friendly exchanges with Prof. Susan Rigby (President of BSU), and engaged in discussions with Prof. Georgina Andrews (Vice President of BSU), Prof. John Strachan, Jiemin Tomita (Director of the International Admissions Office), and others. The discussions delved into cooperation on academic programs, teacher and student exchanges, and the establishment of alumni associations. Following the meeting, Prof. Chen Zhiguo and other members of the delegation were invited to attend the graduation ceremony for the Class of 2023 at BSU.

To effectively advance the Sino-UK cooperative education program in early childhood education, Prof. Chen Zhiguo and other members of the delegation held a special symposium with Prof. Agnieszka Bates, Vice Dean of the College of Education, Dr. Beth Cook, Dr. Shaddai Tembo, and Jiemin Tomita from the International Admissions Office. Both parties discussed the operation and future development of the cooperative education program, focusing on ways to enhance the quality of the program.

The delegation also toured the main and London campuses of BSU, gaining insights into its teaching and research, particularly exploring innovation and entrepreneurship hubs, training rooms, laboratories, and libraries. Discussions were held on how to further improve the quality of talent development. Face-to-face communication with overseas alumni took place on promoting the construction of HUHST's overseas alumni association.

During the visit to SUT, Prof. Chen Zhiguo and other members of the delegation received warm hospitality from Boguslaw Lazarz (Vice President of General Affairs), Grzegorz Klapyta (Director of the International Cooperation Office), Krzysztof Walczak (Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry), and other representatives of the Faculty of Chemistry. The two universities discussed advancing talent cultivation, scientific research, and international cooperation and exchanges, and then signed corresponding cooperation agreements. Following the meeting, the delegation visited relevant research institutes, laboratories, and university-enterprise cooperation bases at SUT. In-depth discussions were held on the construction of disciplines and the development of innovation and entrepreneurship teaching systems, laying a solid foundation for substantial cooperation and exchanges between the two institutions.

This overseas visit was approved by the Education Department of Hunan Province and the Office of Foreign Affairs of CPC Hunan Provincial Committee.

(Text by courtesy of the International Cooperation and Exchange Office)