An education delegation from Southwest China’s Guizhou province started its two-day visit to the United Kingdom on Monday, by agreeing partnerships between universities in Guizhou and their British counterparts.
The delegation comprises provincial officials, as well as leaders and representatives from six local universities, including Guizhou University, Guizhou Medical University, Kaili University, and others.
On Monday, the delegation attended a higher education cooperation conference in London, which was hosted by the provincial government of Guizhou, organized by its Department of Education, and supported by the British Council, which specializes in international cultural and educational opportunities.
Seven cooperation agreements, or memorandums of understanding, were signed between universities in Guizhou and British universities at the event, with the intention of promoting exchanges of students and academic staff, collaboration on joint research projects, and more.
“Guizhou has always maintained an open attitude and continuously deepened exchanges and cooperation with the UK in all aspects. In the field of education, the exchanges and cooperation between Guizhou and the UK have yielded fruitful results,” said Lu Yongzheng, a member of the Standing Committee of Communist Party of China Guizhou Provincial Committee and secretary of Guizhou Provincial Education Commission.
Lu noted that a total five education programs had previously been agreed between five higher education institutions from Guizhou and five from the UK.
“China cannot develop its education well if being isolated from the world, and vice versa. Thus, I hope that the two sides will further strengthen the win-win cooperation in education,” Lu said.
Maddalaine Ansell, global director of education at the British Council, highlighted the Sino-British educational contacts dating back more than 45 years. She noted that the two sides are currently strengthening connections in the field, particularly with the growth in the number of Chinese students in the UK.
She pointed out that the British Council shares Guizhou’s aim to expand access to higher education, develop expertise in scientific research, and deepen international ties for mutual benefit.
“We firmly believe that, by working together, we can strengthen the UK’s relationship with these important areas of China,” said Ansell.
The delegation of Guizhou also visited the London Metropolitan University on Monday.
During the visit, Guizhou University and the Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine signed an articulation agreement and a memorandum of understanding, respectively, with the London Metropolitan University.
“The presence of the Guizhou delegation here today marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to fostering international cooperation and collaboration in the field of education,” said Gary Davies, deputy vice-chancellor of the London Metropolitan University.