On the afternoon of Feb 3, H.E. Jonathan Austin, New Zealand Ambassador to China, leads a delegation to visit Shandong University. [Photo/Shandong University]

On Feb 3, H.E. Jonathan Austin, the New Zealand ambassador to China, led a delegation to visit Shandong University and meet with its president, Li Shucai. They discussed deepening educational collaboration and cultural exchanges between the university and New Zealand’s academic institutions.

Li welcomed the delegation, noting that the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and New Zealand has created a supportive environment for academic and youth engagement. He emphasized that SDU aims to use this visit to establish a "trinity" cooperation model that integrates education, scientific research, and industrial application. By strengthening connections with New Zealand's top universities and research centers, SDU seeks to contribute to the global community through shared intellectual growth.

Ambassador Austin provided an overview of New Zealand's higher education landscape, highlighting the solid political foundations and promising prospects for future cooperation. He expressed the embassy's commitment to promoting resource sharing and mutual learning. Specifically, he expressed expectations for the SDU-UoW International Business School to serve as a bridge for joint research and faculty-student exchange programs, adding new momentum to bilateral ties.

The visit concluded with the delegation touring SDU's Center for Research and Experience of Traditional Chinese Culture.