Commissioned by the US National Science Foundation, Professor Wei Zhao, Rector-designate of the University of Macau (UM), recently led a delegation of science deans from higher education institutions in the United States to visit the Chinese Mainland, in order to understand better the situation of science education and research development in China.
After 30 years of reforms, China plays an increasingly important role in the global economy. Besides, with the support of government agencies and private foundations, China has been rapidly developing undergraduate and graduate education as well as scientific researches. Under these circumstances, more and more US universities have started to seek cooperation opportunities in China. They’ve begun to engage in Chinese student recruitment, student and scholar exchange, and research collaboration. In view of this, the US National Science Foundation organized this trip, hoping that the US higher education sector can deepen its understanding on the Chinese education and R&D system and explore possible key areas of cooperation between the two sides.
In the past two months, Professor Zhao led the delegation to visit the following institutions: Peking University, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Shanghai Branch of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Microsoft Asia Research Institute, Beijing Normal University, Shannxi Normal University, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Tongji University, Southeastern University, Nanjing University, the Beijing Office of the US National Science Foundation, and the Embassy of the United States in China. Fruitful meetings and discussions were carried out with the management, staff and students of the local academic institutions. This visitation was on the national level with the aim to promote exchange activities between China and the US in areas of R&D and education. Professor Zhao noted that this trip was remarkably successful because it helped establish a platform of dialogue between the US and Chinese science deans and lay down a foundation for future exchange and collaboration between them. Besides, this trip was also helpful to the promotion of the development of the University of Macau in related areas in the future.
Professor Wei Zhao is the first Rector of the University of Macau selected through global recruitment. He is going to assume office on 10 November. With more than 20 years of experience in research and development, teaching and leadership in higher education in the US, Professor Zhao will further promote the academic development of the University and elevate its reputation. He will also help strengthen the University’s research and enhance its service for the Chinese Mainland, Macao and neighbouring regions.