On September 6–7, Douglas Proctor, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Global Engagement) of Swinburne University of Technology (SUT), Neema Cucinotta, Director of Transnational Education Partnerships, and representatives from AEMG Education visited Jinan Campus of Shandong University of Science and Technology (SDUST).
Guo Yiling, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of SDUST, Secretary of the Party Committee of Jinan Campus (Swinburne College) and Director of the Management Committee (Dean), Liang Saijiang, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Jinan Campus (Swinburne College), and Guo Jiashu, Executive Deputy Director, met with the visitors. Guo Yiling welcomed the visitors, introduced the recent development of Jinan Campus to them, and expressed her hope to further deepen bilateral cooperation in areas of student exchanges, faculty training, joint development of scientific research platforms, and commercialization of scientific research achievements. Douglas Proctor expressed that the two universities have a very solid foundation for cooperation, and SUT is willing to work closely with SDUST to continuously expand substantive and friendly collaboration in various fields of teaching and scientific research, and to jointly elevate the partnership to new heights.
During the visit, SDUST and SUT held a joint institutional management committee meeting, where the two parties reviewed the agenda and implementation of the previous meeting, exchanged updates on the work of Swinburne College this year, the teaching activities in China, and the academic progress of Swinburne College students abroad. They also engaged in in-depth discussions on faculty exchanges, joint master's and doctoral programs, establishment of future scientific research platforms, and exploring more extensive and deeper areas of collaboration.
The grand opening ceremony for the 2024 freshmen of Swinburne College was held in the library hall. Guo Yiling delivered a speech titled "Meeting a Better Self in an International Educational Environment", encouraging all freshmen to, firstly, aim high and broaden their international horizons. Sino-foreign Cooperative Education provides a valuable platform and opportunity for training high-quality talents with international vision, cross-cultural communication ability and innovative spirit. It is hoped that students will cherish this opportunity, strive for progress, embrace differences, learn from each other, and grow together. Secondly, one should harbor the motherland in their heart and cultivate a profound sense of patriotism. All students should integrate their individual self into the greater self of the motherland and the people, move in step with the times, share the destiny of the people, embrace lofty aspirations, grasp the pulse of the era, deeply root in the sentiment of serving the country, and bravely shoulder the mission of the times. Thirdly, one should strive for excellence and master the hard skills to strengthen the nation. Leveraging the international platform of Sino-foreign Cooperative Education, all students should take the initiative to broaden their horizons, explore the frontiers of their specialties, be brave in innovation and practice, and master the hard skills so as to become capable persons who can hold key positions and undertake important tasks. Douglas Proctor introduced the school-running history and characteristics of SUT in his speech, and hoped that students would enjoy better educational resources on the platform of the College, have all-round experience in learning and growth, and achieve a brighter future. Foreign teacher Samuel Gerrell encouraged all freshmen to cherish the valuable learning opportunities in the well-equipped international campus, be full of enthusiasm, passion and lofty aspirations, and strive to grow into an outstanding talent with rich practical skills, professional knowledge and enterprising character. The representative of freshmen, Li Jialu, expressed in fluent English her determination to innovate and pursue excellence under the inspiring motto spirits of SDUST and SUT.
At the visit period, the two parties held thematic discussions on joint implementation of master's programs and the development of scientific research cooperation. The responsible persons from both sides and the co-teachers conducted group discussions, fully exchanging views on strengthening the integrated development of faculty, initiating scientific research collaboration, and enhancing teaching effectiveness.
Douglas Proctor and the heads of the academic colleges of SUT had a face-to-face communication with the non-freshmen students, introducing the recent development of SUT, the advantages and employment prospects of various majors, especially the new combined bachelor's and master's program, as well as the doctoral and other higher-degree education and teaching in the two universities.
The delegation led by Douglas Proctor also visited a number of new laboratories in Jinan Campus. They marveled at the changes that have taken place on the campus within a short time frame, and expressed their confidence in future cooperation.
Copyright©2020 SDUST(JN)
