A delegation from the University of Liverpool visited Shanghai this week to sign new partnership, education and innovation agreements with Universities and research institutes in the area.
The three new agreements were announced at a celebratory event to mark the 25th anniversary of the Liverpool - Shanghai 'sister cities' partnership.
The special event at the Museum of Art Pudong was co-hosted by the University of Liverpool - led by Professor Tariq Ali, Pro Vice Chancellor for Global Engagement & Partnerships - alongside senior representatives from Liverpool City Council, Liverpool China Partnership and Liverpool John Moores University.
Senior government representatives from UK and China also attended including Liverpool City Council, Ms Ma Yinghui, Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs Office, Shanghai and Ms Catherine Sinclair-Jones, Director of the British Council in East China.
The University of Liverpool and Shanghai Jiaotong University, a world 'top 100' institution, have announced a strategic partnership which includes a seed fund to catalyse research collaborations in areas of complementary strength. This includes:
- Innovation in marine sciences, maritime and ports
- Health and biomedicine
- Creative industries and social sciences
The University of Liverpool and East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) signed an agreement to support undergraduate and postgraduate student mobility in several disciplines. This builds on the established and successful partnership between ECUST and the University's Materials Innovation Factory.
The University of Liverpool and Yangtze Delta Research Institute of Tsinghua University signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore industry-led research collaboration.
Members of the delegation also joined the University of Liverpool's Professor Tariq Ali for a visit to Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), Suzhou. Established in 2006 through a partnership between Xi'an Jiaotong University and the University of Liverpool, XJTLU has grown rapidly to become the largest international joint venture university in China, with a strong reputation for education and research.
Professor Tariq Ali, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Partnerships at the University of Liverpool said: "I'm delighted to be part of the Liverpool delegation visiting Shanghai to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Liverpool - Shanghai Sister Cities relationship.
"This anniversary celebration has been a catalyst for the University of Liverpool to establish new partnerships and further grow existing links with outstanding universities and organisations in the great city and region of Shanghai.
"I am very pleased that we have arranged a special visit to Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University (XJTLU) for members of the delegation to meet with students and staff."
The celebration coincided with a series of events taking place in early June. Professor Ali and Dr Xiaofeng Wu, International Partnerships Manager were part of a delegation visiting Shanghai to strengthen education links between the two cities, building on the success of the past 25 years and looking forward to the future.
