On the afternoon of May 6, 2016, a delegation led by President of SUSTech Chen Shiyi paid an official visit to Temple University in America and received a cordial welcome. President of Temple University Neil Theobald, Academic Dean Dai Hailong and other faculty members held conversations with the delegation on mutual cooperation. 

President Chen hold talks with Dai Hailong and other faculty members

Dai Hailong extended his warm welcome to President Chen and introduced the measures taken and achievements made by Temple in terms of faculty, majors, scientific research, international cooperation and the development of alumni resources. The ranking of the university on US News has been moving up quickly. President Chen thanked Temple University for supporting the cooperation and development of SUSTech. The two sides had in-depth discussions on furthering the exchanges of undergraduates, jointly cultivating postgraduates and carrying out cooperation in scientific research. They also elaborated on the plan of establishing a united international institute.

SUSTech delegation and Dai Hailong as well as other faculty members from Temple University

After the meeting, President Neil Theobald had discussions with the delegation on cooperation between the two universities.

On May 10, 2016, President Chen Shiyi, Vice President Wu Chuanyue and other representatives of SUSTech paid their first visit to University of Michigan (UMich). They received a cordial welcome by President of UMich Mark Schlissel, Vice President Jack Hu and other faculty members.

Dean of General Affairs Lu Chun, President Chen Shiyi, President Mark Schlissel and Vice President Jack Hu

President Mark Schlissel expressed his welcome to the delegation and gave them a brief introduction about UMich. He noted that UMich was ready to discuss comprehensive cooperation with SUSTech. Then Vice President Jack Hu introduced the overall situation of scientific research of the university. During the meeting, James Holloway, Vice Provost of International Education, briefed the delegation on UMich’s international cooperation and discussed with them its exchanges of students and teachers, cooperation in scientific research, scientific research or internship programs in summer vacations and language programs. David Munson, Dean of School of Engineering, gave a detailed introduction about the school and welcomed cooperation in scientific research projects. Several professors from the school also exchanged ideas with the delegation on their interested cooperation areas.

President Chen Shiyi and James Holloway

David Munson and President Chen Shiyi

On the evening of May 10, President Chen Shiyi together with other representatives arrived at Detroit Sports Center and attended the signing ceremony of the fist cooperative project of Shenzhen-Michigan Trade, Investment and Innovation Cooperation Center (hereinafter referred to as “the Shenzhen-Michigan Center”). Through close communication, SUSTech, UMich, Beijing Institute of Collaborative Innovation and the Shenzhen-Michigan Center signed a memorandum of understanding to promote cooperation among the four parties. On behalf of SUSTech, Vice President Wu Chuanyue signed the memorandum.

The signing ceremony

The purpose of this memorandum is to establish and deepen cooperation among the four parties, offer resources for teachers and students, further cooperative research and exchanges as well as promote the transfer of scientific achievements.

The delegation attended the signing ceremony of the agreement on establishing sister pairs between Guangdong Province and State of Michigan, and the signing ceremony and inauguration of the Shenzhen-Michigan Center. They also had conversations with Hu Chunhua, the Secretary of Guangdong Provincial Committee of the CPC, and Mayor of Shenzhen Xu Qin.

On May 13, Chen Shiyi and his delegation paid their first visit to Stony Brook University (SBU). President of the university Samuel Stanley, Vice Provost of International Affairs Liu Jun and other faculty members held conversations with the delegation. Samuel Stanley introduced the overall development, faculty, campus construction, international cooperation projects and academic collaborators of SBU.

President Chen Shiyi hold talks with Samuel Stanley

Liu Jun give an introduction about Stony Brook University

President Samuel Stanley spoke highly of SUSTech’s philosophy on university management, positioning, vision of university development and remarkable achievements made in just a few years since its founding. He said that SBU is willing to cooperate with SUSTech in many fields, including exchanges of students and faculty, cooperation in cultivating postgraduates, scientific research and exchanges, etc. At the invitation of President Chen, representatives of SBU will make a return visit next month to further cooperation between two universities.

After the talks, both sides agreed to conclude a memorandum of understanding on cooperation, which was signed by President Chen and Samuel Stanley.