ZJU deepens global partnerships: Chairman of ZJU Council REN Shaobo leads delegation to UAE and Italy

From October 12 to 16, REN Shaobo, Chairman of the Zhejiang University (ZJU) Council, led a delegation to the United Arab Emirates and Italy to strengthen academic and research partnerships and expand ZJU’s global collaboration network across the Middle East and Europe. The visit focused on deepening cooperation in science and technology, education, and culture through exchanges with leading universities, international organizations, research institutes, and think tanks.

At Khalifa University, REN Shaobo joined President Ebrahim Al Hajri to unveil the ZJU–KU Joint Lab for Next-Generation Intelligent Communication Networks. The ceremony was attended by Provost Bayan Sharif, Acting Vice-President for External Relations Ashraf Al-Najdawi, and other senior representatives.

The two universities reviewed their successful collaborations in innovative talent cultivation, joint research on communication technologies, and addressing sustainability challenges. They also explored new initiatives for faculty and student exchanges, joint training programs, interdisciplinary innovation, and cross-sector cooperation between government, industry, and academia.

REN Shaobo presented A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings to Khalifa University and toured the Advanced Research and Innovation Center and the SmartWave Lab. He also met with ZJU students studying at Khalifa University, sharing words of encouragement and appreciation.

At the University of Sharjah, REN Shaobo met with President Esameldin Agamy to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, officially establishing an institutional partnership. Discussions centered on collaboration in engineering, information science, medicine, economics and management, and cultural exchange.

Both universities agreed to take this partnership as a starting point for more substantive cooperation projects. The meeting was also attended by Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Yousef Haik, Vice Chancellor for Medical & Health Sciences Colleges Qutayba Hamid, and other representatives.

During his visit to the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), REN Shaobo met with Director-General QU Dongyu. They discussed the growing collaboration between ZJU and the FAO, reviewed joint achievements, and exchanged views on future cooperation. REN Shaobo presented A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings as a gift to mark the 80th anniversary of the FAO.

QU Dongyu praised ZJU’s strength in research and its global engagement, noting its important role in advancing sustainable development. REN Shaobo reaffirmed ZJU’s commitment to working closely with the FAO to implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and contribute to building a community with a shared future for humankind.

In Italy, REN Shaobo met with President Michele Valensise of the Italian Institute for International Affairs (IAI), congratulating the institute on its 60th anniversary. REN Shaobo highlighted ZJU’s interdisciplinary strengths and achievements in cooperation with Italian partners, expressing interest in expanding collaboration in the humanities, social sciences, and global governance.

Michele Valensise noted that ZJU and IAI share common visions in promoting academic dialogue and shaping global public policy, and expressed enthusiasm for future cooperation in building a more open and stable international order.

At LUISS University, REN Shaobo met with Rector Paolo Boccardelli and Deputy Rector for Internationalization Antonio Majocchi, and signed a new Memorandum of Understanding. Both sides highlighted the importance of international partnerships for mutual development and agreed to expand cooperation in traditional fields like social sciences while jointly exploring cutting-edge areas such as digital transformation and artificial intelligence.

At the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), REN Shaobo and his delegation met with Salvatore Capasso, Director of the Department of Human and Social Sciences, Cultural Heritage, and Virginia Coda Nunziante, Head of the International Relations Office. REN Shaobo presented A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings as a symbol of friendship and cultural exchange.

Both sides emphasized the deep historical ties between China and Italy and the need to strengthen collaboration in archaeology, heritage preservation, social governance, and research infrastructure. They expressed a shared desire to explore a formal partnership between their institutions to inject new momentum into China–Italy innovation cooperation.

The delegation also visited the Chinese embassies in the UAE and Italy, where REN Shaobo met with Ambassador ZHANG Yiming and Ambassador JIA Guide. The discussions covered ZJU’s recent developments and the prospects for expanding cooperation in education, science, and culture.

In addition, the delegation attended the inauguration of the ZJU Alumni Association in the Middle East and met with alumni representatives in Italy. REN Shaobo expressed his heartfelt gratitude for alumni support and encouraged them to carry forward ZJU’s spirit of “seeking truth and pursuing innovation,” contributing to mutual understanding and friendship between China and the world.

Translator: FANG Fumin
Editor: HAN Xiao