From May 5 to 12, 2016, Mr. CAO Guoyong, Chairman of the University Council, was invited to lead a delegation to visit San Diego State University, North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in U.S. and Dalhousie University in Canada. The delegation conducted in-depth discussions with representatives from the four universities and signed a series of cooperative agreements, which has achieved the desired objectives.
During the visit in San Diego State University, CAO Guoyong held talks with President Prof. Sweedler and Vice President Prof. Sweedler. Both sides agreed to carry out practical cooperation on student joint education and faculty scientific research. On behalf of BJTU, CAO Guoyong signed the MoU with San Diego State University. Prof. Hirshman said he would fully support the future common development of the two universities. Besides, the delegation visited the College of Engineering and Confucius Institute at San Diego State University. Both sides have reached consensuses on carrying out student exchange and faculty mutual visit on engineering and strengthening links with the Confucius Institutes of both sides.
During the visit in North Carolina State University, the delegation held in-depth discussions with Vice Provost Prof. LI Bailian on university management, recruitment of management staff and university-enterprise cooperation. The delegation also toured the campus and visited the teaching and scientific research platforms on campus. On behalf of BJTU, CAO Guoyong signed the MoU with Prof. LI Bailian. Both sides agreed to further enhance cooperation on student and faculty exchange as well as joint scientific research.
During the visit in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CAO Guoyong held talks with Vice Provost Prof. Strauss and professors from the College of Arts & Sciences, Kenan-Flagler Business School and Regional Research Center. Both sides agreed to carry out faulty exchange, student joint education, joint scientific research and summer school programs. Both sides have reached consensuses on carry out cooperation on economy, management and planning of traffic and transportation. Besides, CAO signed the MoU with Prof. Strauss on behalf of BJTU, expecting to enhance bilateral cooperation in the future.
During the visit in Dalhousie University, CAO Guoyong held the talks with President Dr. Florizone. It has attached great importance to the cooperation with Chinese universities. Sharing many similarities on discipline setting and scientific research, BJTU and Dalhousie University agreed to carry out cooperation on faculty scientific research, graduate student exchange and student study abroad. Afterwards, both parties signed the MoU. The delegation also visited the Faculty of Computer Science and Faculty of Engineering. Both sides have reached consensuses on carry out joint scientific research and joint education programs on Computer Science and New Energy.
During the visit, CAO Guoyong invited all the Presidents and experts from the four universities to attend the International University President’s Forum and activities for the 120th Anniversary Celebration. Besides, CAO also met the alumni from BJTU and invited them to attend the 120th anniversary celebration.
This visit was a complete success and achieved the desired objectives. The delegation has made feasible plans on strength discipline, which has great significance to strengthen people-to-people exchange and promote the construction of “First-class University” and “First-class Discipline”. Principals from the School of Traffic and Transportation, School of Electrical Engineering, Office of Admission and Career Service and Office of International Affairs also visited the four universities.
