Delegation from JUFE Visits Universities in Ireland and the UK

　　From May 25th to 31st, Vice President Fang Yuming led a delegation on a working visit to universities in Ireland and the UK. The delegation visited Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), University College Cork (UCC), and Dublin City University (DCU) in Ireland, followed by the University of Manchester, Coventry University, University of Southampton, University of Portsmouth, and Arts University Bournemouth in the UK. The visit aimed to deepen exchanges and cooperation with partner institutions, explore new educational cooperation projects, conduct overseas talent recruitment efforts, promote international Chinese language education, and meet with students, alumni, and faculty studying or working in Ireland and the UK. Leaders from the Organization Department/High-level Talents Service Center, the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, and the School of Society and Humanities accompanied the delegation.

Visit to Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin)

During the visit to Ireland, leaders and representatives from the International Offices and relevant schools of TU Dublin, UCC, and DCU held meetings with the delegation. TU Dublin, Ireland's first public technological university, was represented by Vice President Thomas Stone, the Dean of the Business School, the Head of the Management School, the Dean of Graduate Studies, and the China Region Lead for International Projects. Vice President Fang Yuming introduced Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics' (JUFE) history and disciplinary strengths. He noted the growing cooperation between China and Ireland in trade, economy, and education, expressing hope that the two universities would enhance mutual understanding and actively promote friendly cooperation in areas like faculty and student exchanges and research collaboration. Thomas Stone warmly welcomed the delegation, congratulated JUFE on its achievements, and expressed hope that the meeting would mark the beginning of a new chapter in exchanges and cooperation between the two institutions. Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on joint talent cultivation, faculty exchanges, and short-term exchange programs, culminating in the signing of a Letter of Intent. Future collaboration will focus on joint talent cultivation and research in fields such as Business and the Digital Economy.

Visit to University College Cork (UCC)

UCC, one of Ireland's oldest public research universities, holds dual AACSB and AMBA accreditation for its Business School. During the visit, the delegation met with Emma Connolly (International Project Lead), Dr. JB McCarthy (International Affairs Lead for the Business School), and Dr. Tao Chen (Project Lead). The two sides reviewed their collaborative history and discussed ways to deepen cooperation. Topics included dual-degree programs, jointly hosted academic conferences, establishing joint research centers, co-applying for China Scholarship Council (CSC) projects, and promoting Sino-Irish educational and cultural exchanges.

Visit to Dublin City University (DCU)

DCU, a national comprehensive university in Ireland, excels in Business and Economics, Engineering and Computer Science, and Social Sciences. The delegation met with Dr. Andrew, Head of the Faculty of Engineering and Computing, and other professors. They shared research achievements in fields like Artificial Intelligence. Vice President Fang expressed hope for increased understanding and cooperation, exploring joint projects such as international conferences and talent cultivation. Dr. Andrew emphasized leveraging the respective disciplinary strengths of both institutions to enhance the quality of international talent cultivation through collaboration. Discussions centered on joint postgraduate training and overseas talent recruitment. Both parties agreed to establish regular communication channels to facilitate the implementation of future projects.

Visits to UK Universities

In the UK, the delegation visited the University of Manchester, Coventry University, University of Southampton, University of Portsmouth, and Arts University Bournemouth, focusing on joint talent cultivation programs, Confucius Institute development, overseas talent recruitment, and Sino-foreign cooperative education.

University of Manchester: A founding member of the prestigious Russell Group and ranked within the global top 50, its Business School holds the Triple Crown accreditation (AMBA, EQUIS, AACSB). The delegation held in-depth talks with the Business School's Asia Regional Director and Project Managers. Both sides reached an agreement and signed a specific agreement to promote short-term exchange programs. They pledged to deepen cooperation based on student programs and explore more high-level collaborative projects. The delegation also met with JUFE alumni studying at the university and hosted a talent policy promotion session for doctoral students to attract high-level talents.

Coventry University: The delegation held a working meeting with Vice President Richard, Assistant Vice President (International) Craig Blyth, the Dean and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Business and Law, and the Chinese Dean of the Confucius Institute. They reviewed the institute's operations and discussed solutions to development challenges. Both sides affirmed that the Confucius Institute significantly benefits both universities and Sino-British cultural exchange. They pledged to optimize working mechanisms and enhance the institute's influence and reach as it approaches its 10th anniversary. Consensus was also reached on promoting student exchanges, faculty visits, and jointly hosting international academic conferences. The delegation visited JUFE teachers and volunteers conducting international Chinese language education in the UK, held an overseas talent recruitment symposium, and unveiled the university's first Overseas Talent Recruitment Station.

University of Southampton: A core UK partner for JUFE, consistently ranked within the global top 100, Southampton hosts dozens of JUFE students annually. Vice President Deborah Gill, Deans of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the Business School, and International Project Leads met with the delegation. Discussions focused on optimizing joint talent cultivation programs, establishing joint research centers, faculty exchanges, and overseas talent recruitment. Both sides agreed to upgrade the level and scope of cooperation, facilitate more frequent faculty and student exchanges, and open a new chapter in collaboration.

University of Portsmouth: The delegation met with Vice President Bobby Metha and leaders from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Technology, and the International Office. Discussions centered on joint student training, research collaboration, and developing joint degree programs for international students. Both parties agreed to strengthen joint postgraduate training based on existing programs and promote the alignment of international student joint degree programs.

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Arts University Bournemouth (AUB): The delegation met with Vice President and Chief Financial & Operating Officer Mehjabeen Patrick, along with leaders from the International Office, the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, and China Cooperation Projects. They explored leveraging respective strengths in jointly applying for Sino-foreign cooperative education programs, joint cultivation of arts talents, and establishing joint art and design centers. Consensus was reached on collaboration intentions, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed.

During the visit, the delegation also met with alumni working and studying in Ireland and the UK. They updated the alumni on JUFE's recent developments, expressed gratitude for their continued support, encouraged them to complete their studies and contribute to their homeland, and urged them to leverage their overseas resources and networks to support the university's growth.

Adhering to its "Comprehensive International Cooperation" strategy, JUFE is actively seizing internationalization opportunities to forge new win-win partnerships. This visit strengthened ties with universities in Ireland and the UK, playing a significant role in consolidating partnerships with high-level international institutions, enhancing the quality of joint talent cultivation, and recruiting overseas talents.