In response to China's "Belt and Road" initiative and to accelerate international education cooperation and exchange, enhance educational quality, and boost international competitiveness, a delegation led by President Li Lin and consisting of six members, visited the UK and France from February 26th to March 4th, 2024, at the invitation of Cheshire College South & West in the UK and Schneider Electric in France.
During their visit to Cheshire College South & West, the delegation was warmly received by Mr. Stelios Yalarakis, the school leader in charge of international exchanges, and Mr. Glyn Smith, the professional director of the International Office. The delegation toured the college's engineering lab, automotive repair workshop, aviation service training room, and healthcare and wellness teaching and training center, and learned about the college's professional and practical teaching programs. In a symposium, President Li Lin introduced the preparations for Sino-foreign cooperative education projects and future cooperation plans. Based on existing collaboration, the two institutions negotiated on the implementation of Sino-foreign cooperative education projects, the development of joint courses and educational programs, cooperative cultivation of outstanding students for admission to higher education institutions of both parties, 3+0 programs, teacher and student exchange programs, the co-construction of curriculum systems, and professional standards. The two institutions reached a consensus on advancing cooperation matters and signed a memorandum of understanding.
At the University of Huddersfield, the delegation held a symposium with Prof. Wayne Bayley, the chairman of the Academic Board and dean of the Education Faculty. President Li Lin noted that Guangxi Vocational College of Water Resources and Electric Power is a national demonstrative higher vocational college, a national high-quality water conservancy higher vocational college, and an excellent unit for the construction of high-level vocational colleges and professional groups in Guangxi. The college has cultivated numerous outstanding students and hopes to initiate deep and pragmatic cooperation through this visit to promote international education, especially in the area of associate to bachelor's degree programs. Huddersfield introduced the school's development and the characteristics of its various majors, expressed its willingness to cooperate, and proposed focusing cooperation on joint associate to bachelor's degree programs, teacher and student exchanges, and joint scientific research.
At Schneider Electric in France, the delegation visited Schneider Electric's Global Marketing Director Zhang Danhui and Vocational Education Supervisor Mr. Minet, toured the Schneider Electric Innovation Center, and learned about Schneider's advanced practices in leading digital transformation and sustainable development in global energy management and automation. Both parties held a symposium on further exchanges. President Li Lin introduced the construction progress of the green and low-carbon industry-education integration project with Schneider Electric at the college, noting its great significance and the ability to leverage Schneider's technological leadership and the college's professional educational advantages. Schneider Electric gave full affirmation to the construction progress of the green and low-carbon industry-education integration project at the college and expressed its willingness to further cooperate.
Through bilateral talks, visits and investigations, and agreement negotiations, this visit comprehensively enhanced friendly relations between the college and universities and enterprises in the UK and France, deepened exchanges and cooperation in multiple fields, dimensions, and aspects, and was of great significance in advancing the high-quality development of Sino-foreign cooperative education, improving talent cultivation and internationalization levels at the college, and boosting high-quality and connotative development of the college's undertakings.
Delegation visits South Cheshire College South & West
Glyn Smith introduces the engineering training lab to the delegation
Signing of MoA
Dr. Wayne Bayley of University of Huddersfield presents souvenir to President Li Lin
Group photo at University of Huddersfield
Zhang Danhui, the Global Market Manager of Schneider Electric France, introduces the company's situation to the delegation.
Group photo at Schnider
