From November 11 to 17, President Zhang Rong led a delegation to visit Japan and Singapore to promote exchanges and cooperation with partner universities and colleges. During the visit, they held the Overseas Young Scholar Forum and met alumni of Xiamen University (XMU).

On November 11, the delegation arrived in Japan. They first paid a visit to Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) and made a friendly exchange with Dr. Mary Collins, the Dean of Research of OIST, and Prof. Jonathan Ray, the Vice President of OIST. Zhang introduced the disciplinary construction, scientific research, campus layout and talent introduction of XMU. Collins expounded the school-running characteristics of OIST in interdisciplinary building and industry-university-research integration. She also appreciated XMU's strength in disciplines like marine sciences, biology, public health, physics and material science and hoped to establish friendly partnership and develop cooperation between both sides. The delegation exchanged views with the head of the scientific research institute in OIST and visited laboratories for marine genomics, insect biodiversity and biogeography.

In Okinawa, Zhang met Prof. Hiroshi Amano, winner of the 2014 Nobel Prize in physics. Both sides exchanged views on scientific research cooperation in areas like wide bandgap semiconductor materials, LED and laser.

From November 12 to 14, the delegation visited Tohoku University, Hokkaido University and met some XMU alumni in Japan. In Tohoku University, they were received by Prof. Hideo Ohno, the President of Tohoku University and Prof. Toshiya Ueki, the Vice President of Tohoku University. Ohno expressed the willingness to deepen cooperation with XMU. Zhang also hoped to see new areas and forms of cooperation between both sides.

After the meeting, the delegation visited Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University and several key laboratories. They exchanged views with directors on cooperation in spintronics and macromolecular material.

In Hokkaido University, they were warmly welcomed by Prof. Toyoharu Nawa, the President of Hokkaido University. Both sides introduced each school-running ideas and teaching and research conditions with the expectation that  broader and deeper cooperation could be achieved.

Besides, Zhang met some XMU alumni in Japan and shared with them the school-running results and development plan for the next stage. He also listened attentively to their suggestions and hoped that they will make contributions to the centennial celebration of XMU.

On November 15, the delegation arrived in Singapore. They first paid a visit to the National University of Singapore (NUS) and held talks with Prof. Tan Eng Chye, the President of NUS. Zhang emphasized XMU's achievements of scientific research in dominant disciplines such as chemistry and chemical engineering, material science, marine sciences, life sciences and public health. Both sides reached a consensus on further exchanges and cooperation.

On November 16, the delegation met Dr. Della Suantio Lee, the Chairman of D.S. Lee Foundation. Zhang extended heartfelt gratitude to Lee's great support for XMU, especially for the disciplinary development in nursing. Lee was glad to see such achievements and said that the Foundation will continue to support the development of XMU in all areas.

During the visit in Singapore, Zhang also met Prof. Phua Kok Khoo, the Chairman of Tan Kah Kee Foundation, Prof. Su Guaning, the Chairman of Tan Kah Kee International Society and President Emeritus of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and some XMU alumni. Zhang shared with them XMU's current development and extended an invitation to the centennial celebration of XMU.

In addition, Zhang made an official visit to Kang Kai, the Counsellor for Education of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Singapore. Zhang introduced the current situation of the cooperation between XMU and universities and colleges in Singapore and hoped that the Embassy will continue to support XMU's cultural exchanges and scientific research cooperation with Southeast Asian areas, especially with Singapore.

Besides the above, the delegation held the Overseas Young Scholar Forum in Japan and Singapore respectively and had face-to-face communication with young teachers, doctoral and post-doctoral students from The University of Tokyo, NUS, NTU and Agency for Science, Technology and Research. Zhang made a detailed introduction to XMU's disciplinary construction, talent team, scientific research, student training, international exchange and overseas education, and hoped that all attendees will pursue cooperation with XMU.

Source: Office of International Cooperation and Exchange