The University of Kent was delighted to welcome a senior delegation from Shanghai University, China (SHU) on Wednesday 22nd May. Our two institutions have enjoyed a successful and developing relationship for a number of years; collaboration has included joint research publications, the hosting of visiting professors and the exchange of knowledge and ideas within parallel ventures, most notably with Kent’s School of Computing and School of Engineering and Digital Arts.
SHU is a leading institution in China, and has a strong reputation globally. In 2017, the Chinese government announced that SHU would form part of the Double First Class University Plan, which was conceived to develop an elite group of institutions into world class universities by 2050.
The delegation from SHU was led by Vice President Professor Xiaofan Wang, with Professor Minrui Fei (Dean of School of Mechatronics, Engineering and Automation), Professor Fei Wang (School of Mechatronics, Engineering and Automation), and Ms Huijie Lai (Deputy Director of Shanghai University Global) in attendance. Welcoming the delegation were Professor Philippe de Wilde, Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation, Dr Anthony Manning, Dean for Internationalisation, Professor Richard Jones Head of the School Computing and Dr Caroline Li, Lecturer and Director of Internationalisation in the School of Computing. Other colleagues from Kent were also in attendance, from the School of Computing, School of Arts, School of Engineering and Digital Arts, Kent Health, International Partnerships and International Recruitment.
A memorandum of understanding is in development between Kent and SHU to formalise existing links. The purpose of the visit was to identify potential areas of further research collaboration and to mark the signature of a new admissions agreement that gives SHU students the opportunity to progress to Master’s programmes in Kent’s School of Computing. These exciting developments will see our successful relationship enter into a new stage of partnership.