From September 23 to 30, a delegation led by JIAO Shuqiang, Vice President of University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), visited the United Kingdom and Serbia to promote educational exchanges and international cooperation. During the visit, the delegation met with leaders of the University of Leeds and De Montfort University, and visited HBIS Group Serbia Iron & Steel Company and Serbia Zijin Mining Co., Ltd. The visit aimed to strengthen academic exchanges and cultural understanding, while exploring new models of international educational collaboration.
Visit to the University of Leeds
Meeting with the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Leeds
During the visit to the United Kingdom, the delegation met withHai-Sui Yu,Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Leeds. JIAO Shuqiang expressed his expectation that the two universities would further deepen cooperation and translate shared aspirations into concrete actions and collaborative initiatives.The delegation also held discussions with representatives from the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Leeds. Both sides introduced their respective developments in disciplinary construction and academic advancement, and engaged in in-depth discussions on topics including joint educational programs and research collaboration.
The 11th Board Meeting of the USTB–DMU Confucius Institute
Welcome Reception for New Students of the USTB–DMU Confucius Institute
The delegation visited De Montfort University (DMU), where they met with Vice-Chancellor Katie Normington and Simon Bradbury,Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Co-Director of the USTB–DMU Confucius Institute.Together, they attended the 11th Annual Board Meeting of the USTB–DMU Confucius Institute. During the meeting, participants reviewed the Institute’s work and financial reports for 2024 and discussed key priorities and development plans for 2025.The delegation also attended the Confucius Institute Welcome Reception and held friendly exchanges with faculty members and students, gaining further insight into the Institute’s achievements in Chinese language education and cultural exchange.
Visit to HBIS Group Serbia Iron & Steel Company
During their stay in Serbia, the delegation visited HBIS Group Serbia Iron & Steel Company and met with General Manager CHANG Jinbao.The delegation learned about the company’s operational model, technological management practices, and industrial development. They also toured the rolling mill, sintering plant, and digital control center to gain firsthand knowledge of the company’s production processes and technological capabilities.
Visit to Serbia Zijin Mining Co., Ltd.
In addition, the delegation visited Serbia Zijin Mining Co., Ltd. and held discussions with company representatives. JIAO Shuqiang expressed his hope of establishing a closer and more efficient cooperation mechanism to promote resource sharing and complementary strengths, jointly creating a new model of university-industry collaboration and contributing to the development of the mining sector in both China and Serbia. During the meeting, the two sides reached multiple cooperation intentions on joint talent cultivation programs, industry-university-research collaborative innovation projects, and other areas of mutual interest.
The visit further strengthened mutual understanding and trust between the university and its partner institutions and enterprises in the United Kingdom and Serbia. It also opened up new avenues and opportunities for university-industry collaboration and industry-university-research integration, significantly enhancing the university’s international profile and advancing its international education cooperation agenda. The visit is expected to have far-reaching significance for promoting educational and industrial exchanges and cooperation between China and the United Kingdom, as well as between China and Serbia.
