From 25 to 28 April 2023, Ding Kuiling, president of SJTU, led a delegation to Australia to attend the Universitas 21 (U21) Annual General Meeting and the Presidential Symposium. Ding and his delegation visited the Chinese Consulate-General in Sydney and the University of Queensland (UQ), attended the Universitas 21 Annual General Meeting and delivered a presentation at the Presidential Symposium. During the visit, Ding met with the presidents of U21 member universities, including UQ, the University of New South Wales (UNSW), the National University of Singapore (NUS), the University of Edinburgh, the University of Sydney, and the University of Nottingham.

On April 25, Ding and his delegation visited Zhou Limin, the Consul General of China in Sydney. President Ding expressed SJTU’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with Australian universities by expanding their current practical collaborations and exploring new areas of cooperation. Zhou pointed out that the universities in New South Wales rank among the best in Australia and are eager to collaborate with China. He called for strengthened communication and cooperation between SJTU and universities in New South Wales, which will promote exchanges between China and Australia.

During their visit on April 26, Ding and his delegation discussed with the Vice-Chancellor and President of UQ, Deborah Terry. The two sides exchanged views on how to deepen cooperation.

After the meeting, the presidents of the two universities signed a cooperation agreement on behalf of their respective universities.

Ding visited the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN) at the UQ and met with its director, Alan Rowan.

From the afternoon of April 26 to 27, Ding led his delegation to attend the U21 Annual General Meeting and the Presidential Symposium. Ding stressed that in recent years, SJTU has been actively exploring the cultivation of top talents and international exchange modes in the field of low carbon, leveraging its advantages in disciplines and talents. He expressed his hope that the participating universities would continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the field of low-carbon and future technology education to jointly promote the new reform and development of global higher education.

On April 27, more than 20 presidents of world-renowned universities held a closed-door meeting to discuss the management of the organization and the measures of universities to deal with the zero-carbon future in light of the new international situation.

During the meeting in Australia, Ding had bilateral meetings with Attila Brungs, President of UNSW, Tan Eng Chye, President of NUS, and Katherine Belov, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sydney.

President Ding Kuiling (SJTU) and Principal Peter Mathieson (University of Edinburgh) at the U21 Presidential Symposium on April 26, 2023

President Ding Kuiling (SJTU), President Tan Eng Chye (NUS) and the Vice Provost Joanna Regulska (University of California) at the U21 Presidential Symposium on April 26, 2023

President Ding Kuiling (SJTU) and President Attila Brungs (UNSW) at the U21 Annual General Meeting on April 26, 2023

President Ding Kuiling (SJTU) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Saurabh Sinha (University of Johannesburg) at the U21 Annual General Meeting on April 26, 2023

President Ding Kuiling (SJTU) and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Katherine Belov (University of Sydney) at the U21 Annual General Meeting on April 27, 2023

President Ding Kuiling (SJTU) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Rongyu Li (University of Queensland) at the U21 Annual General Meeting on April 27, 2023

During SJTU’s recent trip to Australia, SJTU leaders enhanced the relationship with the world’s top universities as well as its strategic partners, setting the stage for opening a new chapter of international cooperation and exchange in the post-pandemic world.

The U21 is a global organization of 28 research-intensive universities. SJTU joined U21 in 2005. Additionally, the School of Medical of SJTU has recently joined the U21 Health Science Collaboration Group in 2023, representing the university in the initiative.

Source: International Affairs Division, SJTU

Translated by Yuying Lin

Proofread by Chen Chen, Xiaojing Zhao

Editor on Duty: Cheng Yan