A Shandong University delegation led by the university's president Li Shucai visited some renowned colleges and institutions in the UK and France from Oct 29 to Nov 4 with the aim of enhancing collaboration in scientific research and education, as well as fostering exchanges related to students and faculty.

The Shandong University delegation visits the University of Cambridge on Oct 30. [Photo/view.sdu.edu.cn]

Li and his delegation visited the University of Cambridge and took part in discussions with the vice-president David Cardwell. The visit witnessed the renewal of the memorandum of understanding pertaining to strengthening cooperation in areas such as the research of the history of science and technology, personnel exchange and training between the two sides.

Shandong University President Li Shucai (L) signs a memorandum of understanding with Julian Chaudhuri(R), vice-chancellor of the University of Bath. [Photo/view.sdu.edu.cn]

On Oct 31, Li signed a memorandum of understanding with Julian Chaudhuri, vice-chancellor of the University of Bath, to develop joint student training program and enhance collaboration on pharmacy, European studies, chemistry, and translation.

Shandong University president Li Shucai (L) and Evelyn Welch(R), president of the University of Bristol, sign a memorandum of understanding in the UK on Oct 31. [Photo/view.sdu.edu.cn]

A memorandum of understanding regarding cooperation in underground engineering, water conservancy, environment, energy, data science, artificial intelligence and other fields was also signed between Shandong University and the University of Bristol on Oct 31.

The Shandong University delegation visits the University of Birmingham on Nov 1. [Photo/view.sdu.edu.cn]

During his visit to the University of Birmingham, Li met with Stephen Jarvis, vice-chancellor of the university. Li said that the two sides have established a solid collaborative relationship in the field of energy and hoped to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in areas such as talent development and scientific research.

The delegation also visited Zhang Jin, minister-counselor at the Education Office of the Chinese Embassy in the United Kingdom. Zhang said that the education office will continue supporting the collaboration between Shandong University and British institutions.

The Shandong University delegation visits the underground research laboratory of the French National Radioactive Waste Management. [Photo/view.sdu.edu.cn]

Li and SDU delegation visited the University of Lille from Nov 2 to 3. The two sides hoped to establish inter-university cooperation relationships beyond the rock-soil field. They also visited the underground research laboratory of the French National Radioactive Waste Management Agency (ANDRA) and discussed future research collaboration.

On Nov 4, the delegation visited the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. Yang Jin, China's permanent representative to the UNESCO, and Wang Ying, China's deputy permanent representative to the UNESCO expressed their hopes to support the internationalization of talent development at Shandong University. Li shared insights into Shandong University's relevant practical work and expressed a desire to strengthen collaboration with the China's permanent mission to UNESCO in the future.

The Shandong University delegation holds talks with members of the Shandong University Alumni Association in France. [Photo/view.sdu.edu.cn]

The delegation also held talent exchange talks and alumni forums in London and Paris, with more than 150 young talents and alumni participating. During these events, Li shared the latest achievements of Shandong University and reiterated the university's commitment to providing strong support for talents and creating an environment that benefits individuals at different stages of their careers.