New collaborative agreements with XJTU and Sichuan University

The University has signed new collaborative agreements with XJTU and Sichuan University that aim to deepen research collaborations and increase staff and student mobility.

The University and Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) will establish a Joint Laboratory of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering with a focus on collaborations in the areas of catalytic reaction engineering, materials science and materials chemical engineering and energy chemical process intensification. Initially located at the existing XJTU campus, the facility will move to the new Innovation Harbour campus which is due to open in 2019.

A collaborative agreement has also been signed with West China Hospital of Sichuan University.The agreement, which stems from over a decade of exchange visits and research projects pursued by collaborating staff at the two institutions, will build talent and support academic development through newly broadened clinical research programmes in translational medicine at both institutions.

The University will receive funded PhD students and Post-doctoral scientists from West China Hospital to train as clinician scientists and will support and work with West China Hospital on an exciting proposal to develop a West China-Liverpool Biomedical Research Centre.

Professor Anthony Hollander, Pro Vice Chancellor for Research & Impact, who leads on the development of partnerships in China, said: “China is fast becoming a powerhouse of research and Innovation and it is vitally important that we build close relationships with some of the very best of their research-intensive Universities. I am truly delighted that we have formed such strong bonds to these two fantastic institutions.”

Collaborative workshops were held at both XJTU and West China Hospital to mark the occasion of signing of the agreements and to help identify common interest and grounds for collaboration.

The agreements were signed during a visit to China by Professor Anthony Hollander, Sarah Jackson, Director of Research, Partnerships and Innovation, Professor Xiao Jiangling, from the Department of Chemistry, and Professor Robert Sutton, from the Institute of Translational Medicine.

For more information about China partnerships please contact John Tasker, East Asia Partnerships Manager, International Development Office, on 0151 794 2075.