The past decade has witnessed the fruitful cooperation between Wuhan University and University of Aberdeen, one of the oldest universities in UK since 2006. On the basis of the previous success in “2+2”dual-degree program and student and faculty exchange programs between two universities, a Confucius Institute was co-founded in University of Aberdeen in 2013 after 5 years of preparation.
In recent years, the cooperation has gone further and deeper with the strong supports and promotion from both sides via the platform of Confucius Institute. In September 2016, Ian Diamond, President of University of Aberdeen, visited Wuhan University and reached a concensus with Academician Li Xiaohong, Former President of Wuhan University, on the establishment of a joint research institute. At end of October, the WHU delegation participated in the CI board meeting in University of Aberdeen and discussed about the plan of building a joint research institute, marking a new stage of mutual cooperation. During the visit, a staff exchange agreement was signed to push forward the interaction between the administrative staff and to further strengthen the mutual understanding and communication of the bilateral working mechanisms and campus culture.
At the board meeting, WHU’s Vice President Li Fei and Vice President Paterson of University of Aberdeen addressed speeches respectively. They confirmed the achievements of Confucius Institute and restressed its role as a bridge and platform of communication. The two sides also had in-depth exchange of views on the future development of Confucius Institute and agreed to further integrate multiparty resources and improve Mandarin teaching in northeastern Scotland. After the conference, the delegation visited two Chinese teaching sites of Confucius Institute, the Preliminary School of Danestone and Junior School of Oldmachar, accompanied by the mayor of Aberdeen and other education officers.
VP Li Fei with Ian Diamond
A joint institute will be a new platform strongly supported by both universities. During the visit, a memorandum of understanding was signed, planning to build a jointed institute for the cooperation in the fields of pharmacy, environmental law and energy mechanism. This insititute also serves to promote the practice and interns of students, the joint training of graduates and doctors, exchanges among teachers as well as the hosting of international conferences. The delegation also visited the Entrepreneur Hall, Research and Innovation Office, International Student Service Center in University of Aberdeen, which impressed the delagation with its rich experience.
During the visit, academic connection was conducted among school deans from both sides including Sun Yuhui(vice dean of School of Pharmaceutical Sciences), Kang Yong (vice dean of School of Power and Mechanical Engineering), Marcel Jaspars(director of School of Chemistry of University of Aberdeen) and Alfred Akisanya(vice director of School of Engineering). Through meetings, seminars and laboratory visits, the partners had a better understanding of the discipline advantages and research achievements of each other. They agreed to promote cooperation in faculty exchange, students joint programs, technologies exchange and projects co-application. Meanwhile, Huang Zhong, vice director of English Department, School of Foreign Languages and Literature held a seminar themed “Chinese Masculinity and its Evolution”. After the seminar, Professor Huang conducted effective and fruitful communication with the audience present.
The delegation
In the history of cooperation between University of Aberdeen and Wuhan University, Confucius Institute serves as a powerful culture express with infinite capacity. It constructs a superhighway for the two universities’ communication, which is bound to thrive in prosperity.
(Rewritten by Jin Yiwen, edited by Shen Yuxi, Hu Sijia)
