Professor Tariq Ali, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagements and Partnerships has returned from a ten day visit to China to meet with partners and stakeholders in Jiangsu Province, Shanghai and Xi’an. Professor Ali was joined by Dr Xiaofeng Wu, International Partnerships Manager and Professor Andy Levers, Director of the University’s Institute of Digital Engineering and Autonomous Systems.
Professor Ali said: “This was my first visit to China since taking on the role as Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement at the University of Liverpool.
“In addition to meeting with longstanding partners, I was also pleased to be able to explore some new opportunities, including a new Liverpool-led global network to bring together cities with a shared maritime heritage. Our partnerships and networks are essential to fulfil our ambitions to strengthen reputation and grow global impact, as set out in Liverpool 2031.
“China will continue to be an important partner for us for education and research as we move into the next stage of delivering Liverpool 2031’s Global Engagement pillar.”
The delegation visited our partner university, Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University (XJTLU) and XJTLU Entrepreneur College. Professor Ali said: “I was delighted to meet with Professor Youmin Xi, Executive President of XJTLU, members of the XJTLU senior leadership team as well as academic and professional services colleagues.
“XJTLU’s achievements and scale of ambition are truly impressive. I believe there is great potential to build on the strong foundations and grow the partnership to mutual benefit. I am also grateful for the clear support of Mr NI Qian, Deputy Director of Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) and other colleagues, who expressed their strong commitment to help support new areas of collaboration between the University of Liverpool, XJTLU and industrial partners based at SIP.”
Further meetings were held to discuss research collaborations with other partners in Jiangsu Province including Oxford – Suzhou Centre for Advanced Research (OSCAR) and Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JITRI), a leading government funded research institute. JITRI and XJTLU established the flagship XJTLU – JITRI Academy of Industrial Technology in 2019 and signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University in 2021.
Meeting with Prof WANG, Shuguo, President of XJTU
Xi’an
In Shaanxi Province, meetings took place at Xi’an Jiaotong University, one of the University’s most longstanding partners in China and co-parent of XJTLU.
Commenting on the visit to XJTU, Professor Ali said: “It was a pleasure to meet with President Wang Shuguo, Vice President Xi Guang, and colleagues. We had very productive discussions on areas for future collaboration and I look forward to working together on this.
“Professor Wang’s vision for growth is truly impressive. The new Xi’an Jiaotong University Innovation Harbour Campus is superb with outstanding students and leading high-quality research. I was also delighted to find out more about our collaborations in heritage research – through the Heritage Alliance of the New Silk Road and the Virtual Visiting Fellowships for Heritage Programme.”
Shanghai
Meeting with Mr LIU, Guangyong, Deputy Director of FAO Shanghai City
2024 marks the 25th anniversary of the Liverpool-Shanghai Cities twinning arrangement. During his time in Shanghai, Professor Ali explored possible new opportunities with two key universities, East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) and Shanghai Jiaotong University which is ranked the 4th best university in China.