New Zealand-China education and technology cooperation reaches a new level: The Association helps Fudan University and the University of Otago deepen their cooperation

New Zealand-China education and technology cooperation reaches new heights

The Association helps Fudan University and the University of Otago deepen their cooperation

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Premier Li Qiang's recent state visit to New Zealand coincided with the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between New Zealand and China, and was another important milestone in the development of bilateral relations. This visit has had a positive and far-reaching impact and promoted the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level and exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in education, science and technology, economy and other fields.

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On June 24-25, through the matchmaking of the New Zealand-China Science and Technology Economic Promotion Association, Professor Yuan Zhenghong, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Fudan University and Secretary of the Party Committee of Shanghai Medical College, led a delegation to visit the University of Otago in Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand. The delegation was mainly composed of experts and professors from the School of Stomatology and the School of Basic Medicine of Fudan University. They conducted extensive and in-depth inspections and exchanges at the School of Medicine of the University of Otago.

Professor Helen Nicholson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Otago, attended the China-New Zealand Education Development Forum on 14 June, which was attended by Prime Ministers of both countries, Laxon and Li Qiang. In her speech, she said that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Dunedin and Shanghai. Over the years, with the support of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission, the New Zealand government, the University of Otago and various universities in Shanghai, the two sides have already carried out many important scientific research collaborations.

In this context, the visit of the Fudan University delegation and the further deepening of exchanges and cooperation between the two sides are of great significance. The leaders of the two universities held extensive exchanges and talks in the most iconic bell tower of the University of Otago. Secretary Yuan Zhenghong and President Helen Nicholson jointly renewed the inter-university cooperation memorandum and student exchange agreement.

Professor Liu Yuehua, Dean of the School of Stomatology at Fudan University, and Professor Paul Cooper, Dean of the School of Stomatology at the University of Otago, signed a memorandum of cooperation covering multiple areas including teaching and scientific research.

During the two days at the University of Otago, the delegation was warmly received by the leaders of relevant colleges and teaching and research staff. The president and vice president of the University of Otago, as well as five other vice presidents with different functions, personally accompanied and attended the relevant reception activities.

The Dunedin City Government also fully demonstrated the friendship of the friendly city and treated the Fudan delegation with great hospitality, making the delegation members feel very cordial and feel the ubiquitous enthusiasm and warmth even in the cold winter of the South Island of New Zealand. Professor Liu Yuehua, Dean of the Fudan School of Stomatology, said with emotion: "The launch of the cooperation between the two universities and colleges was very successful. The reception was of high standard and the exchange content was substantial, which was very impressive."

The successful exchange and interaction between the two top universities in New Zealand and China was coordinated and connected by the New Zealand-China Science and Technology Economic Promotion Association, which provided various support and services. Xu Dingyi, executive vice president of the promotion association, accompanied the whole process and participated in various inspections and exchange activities. President Xu said: "The deepening cooperation between the two universities is just a good starting point. In the future, deeper, broader and more substantial cooperation will definitely continue to develop, and there is much to be expected. The promotion association has played its due role in accordance with its founding purpose. In the future, it will continue to provide services to both sides and make more positive contributions to promoting exchanges and cooperation in the fields of economy, science and technology, education and other fields between the two countries."