“Peace and Cooperation, Openness and Inclusiveness; Mutual Learning, and Mutual Benefit.” On October 31^st, the 2024 “Belt and Road” Forum on Scientific & People-to-people Exchange and High-quality Development was held in USTB. Representatives from 20 universities and international organizations in 16 countries overseas, as well as experts from universities in Beijing and beyond, gathered together to seek common development, strengthen friendship, and jointly foster the development of international higher education in the field of science, technology, and people-to-people exchanges.

Group photo at the forum

Ms. LUO Hui, Executive Secretary of China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) and Director General for the Department of International Affairs; Mr. WU Guilong, Chancellor of USTB; Prof. YANG Renshu, President of USTB; and Prof. LYU Zhaoping, Vice President of USTB attended the Opening Ceremony of the Forum. University-level leaders from 20 prestigious institutes across 16 countries, including France, Thailand, Malaysia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Egypt, Nigeria, etc., as well as heads of international organizations, renowned experts and scholars, and heads of various teaching and research units, administrative departments of USTB, and hundreds of faculty, students, and alumni participated in this forum.

Prof. LYU Zhaoping presided over the main Forum

The Opening Ceremony is presided over by Prof. LYU Zhaoping. 

Mr. WU Guilong made an opening remark

Mr. WU Guilong provided a detailed introduction to recent efforts and achievements of USTB in internationalization work. He also mentioned that BRI cooperation is a major decision made by President XI Jinping, based on profound reflections on the future of humanity, as well as the development trends of China and the world. It aims to promote win-win cooperation and common development between China and the rest of the world. He stated that in the future, USTB will continue to deepen scientific and people-to people exchanges with a more open mindset and pragmatic measures, advancing scientific innovation cooperation to a higher level. Together with universities in the “Belt and Road” countries, USTB will write a new chapter in the high-quality development of "Belt and Road" education.

Ms. LUO Hui made a remark

Ms. LUO Hui noted that the “Belt & Road” Forum on Scientific & People-to-people Exchange and High-quality Development held in USTB is a deep implementation of the spirit of President XI Jinping’s important speeches. It holds positive significance for enhancing scientific and people-to-people exchanges between countries along the Belt and Road. In addition, she stated that as China’s largest academic community in the field of science and technology, the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST) has always attached great importance to promoting international exchanges in science, technology, and people-people exchanges. CAST will continue to play its unique role in people-to-people science diplomacy, nurture the bonds of friendship, uphold the principles of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, emphasize cultural exchanges, and focus on long-term goals to foster deeper mutual understanding and goodwill among the people from different countries.

Signing Ceremony of USTB-KBTU-SINOPEC Cooperative Agreements

During the opening ceremony, the Signing Ceremony of USTB-KBTU-SINOPEC Cooperative Agreements was held. This marks closer collaboration among the three parties in areas such as scientific innovation and talent cultivation, with the aim of jointly contributing to the BRI development.

Prof. YANG Renshu delivered a speech

Keynote reports made by various guest speakers

At the main forum, speeches were delivered by YANG Renshu, President of USTB; Mr. Stéphane Lauwick, Chairman of European Quality Assurance Register(EQAR); Dr. WANG Qinglin, Chairman of Standing Committee on Emerging  Technologies for Professional Development, FEIAP; Prof. Salue Aidarova, Academician of the Kazakh National Academy of Natural Science; Prof. Davaa Basandorj, former State Secretary of the Ministry of Nature and Environment of Mongolia; Dr. Sathapon Chupeng, Vice President of Kasetsart University in Thailand; Prof. Khadga KC, Vice President of Tribhuvan University in Nepal; Prof. A K Fazlul Haque Bhuiyan, Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Agricultural University; Prof. Emeka Oguzie, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri in Nigeria; Ms. Caroline Chauvir, Dean of the Normandy Business School (Dublin Campus), France; and Dr. Marco Antonio Cabero, President of the Latin American Andes Road National Technology Organization, Bolivia. These distinguished guests delivered keynote speeches on topics such as talent cultivation, international education, technological innovation, engaging in in-depth and multi-faceted discussions on the current and emerging issues in science, technology, and people-to-people exchange.

In addition to the main forum, USTB has organized four sub-forums through its various colleges, where experts and scholars from overseas universities, as well as representatives, gave presentations and engaged in detailed discussions on cutting-edge technologies and hot issues in relevant fields. Participants shared their most recent research findings and practical experiences. Furthermore, USTB hosted several meetings for communication and exchanges, engaging in extensive exchanges with domestic and international institutions. The discussions covered areas such as research collaboration, student exchange, and faculty visits, leading to the signing of multiple agreements for international cooperation at the university-level, thus laying a solid foundation for future collaborations between USTB and universities along the Belt and Road.

Group photo of foreign delegates

In the future, USTB will continue to deepen exchanges and cooperation with countries along the Belt and Road, promoting the integration of education, science, technology, and culture, and contributing more wisdom and strength to the building of a shared future for mankind.

The year 2024 is the “Year of Internationalization”, USTB will uphold an open and inclusive international perspective, continue to strengthen cooperation with international organizations such as the United Nations and expand new channels and fields for international collaboration and exchange. USTB will fully leverage its strengths in research, teaching, and talent cultivation, actively participate in discussions and practices related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and promote the deep integration of scientific innovation with SDGs.

Draft: WANG Qiuyu

Revision: CHENG Mingyuan