Vice President ZHOU Jianghong Leads delegation to visit France and the UK

As part of Zhejiang University's "Europe Year" initiative under its Global Partnership Program, Vice President ZHOU Jianghong led a delegation in the humanities and social sciences to France and the United Kingdom from April 12 to 19.

During the visit, the delegation held meetings and exchanges with Aix-Marseille University, the French Academy of Overseas Sciences (Académie des Sciences d'Outre-Mer), the University of Leeds, the University of Manchester, and the University of Cambridge to expand cooperation in talent cultivation, scientific research, and related fields. The visit also advanced plans for the French Research Institute, deepened China-Europe research collaboration, and promoted dialogue and mutual learning among civilizations.

At Aix-Marseille University on April 13, ZHOU Jianghong met with Vice President Jean-François Marchi, and the two universities signed a framework cooperation agreement. Discussions focused on opportunities for joint research, student cultivation, and scholarly exchanges.

On April 14, the delegation visited the French Academy of Overseas Sciences, where they met with Dominique Barjot, Perpetual Secretary of the Academy. Both sides expressed interest in developing collaborative research on emerging issues in science and technology, economic development, and social governance in France and Europe. They also discussed building broader platforms for academic and cultural engagement in the humanities and social sciences.

At the University of Leeds on April 15, ZHOU Jianghong and Vice President Nick Plant renewed the Memorandum of Understanding between the two universities. ZHOU Jianghong shared recent developments at Zhejiang Univeristy and presented the University of Leeds with A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings. Nick Plant described the collection as a meaningful cultural bridge that would further strengthen cooperation in the humanities and social sciences research, student exchange, and training programs.

The following day, at the University of Manchester, ZHOU Jianghong and Vice President Fiona Devine renewed the student exchange agreement between the two universities. Their discussions centered on expanding substantive cooperation, includingcollaborative education programs and increased mobility opportunities for students and scholars. ZHOU Jianghong also presented A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings to the university as a symbol of cultural exchange and friendship.

On April 17, the delegation visited the University of Cambridge and met with Tim Minshall, Head of the Institute for Manufacturing, along with other representatives. Discussions focused on interdisciplinary collaboration across technology, management, and policy in the domains of education, research, and practice. Both universities expressed a shared commitment to fostering broader and deeper academic and cultural cooperation in the years ahead.

During the visit, ZHOU Jianghong and the delegation also met with HE Youlin, Consul General of China in Marseille, to exchange views on the prospects for China-France cooperation in international education.

The delegation included representatives and faculty members from Zhejiang University's Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of International Studies, School of Public Affairs, and School of Management.

Adapted and translated from the article written by HU Chunting
Translator: FANG Fumin
Editor: DING Chenwei