From December 4 to 14, Ren Zhongqi, member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of BUCT, led a delegation to visit Latin America and Europe. During the visit, the delegation visited three universities including École Centrale de Marseille in France, Universidad Tecnológica de La Habana José Antonio Echeverría in Cuba, and Danmarks Tekniske Universitet in Denmark. They also paid a visit to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Chinese Consulate General in Marseille. In France and Denmark, the delegation successfully organized the recruitment of foreign young teachers and international students. The visit has effectively upgraded BUCT's cooperation with France, Cuba, and Denmark in various fields including education, science and technology, and humanities etc.
On December 4, the delegation visited the headquarters of the UNESCO in Paris and engaged in talks with Ambassador Yang Xinyu, the Residential Representative of China, about the UNESCO’s support for BUCT in areas of global governance, international talent training, and participation in international organizations, all of which have greatly broadened access to participation in global governance by BUCT faculty and students in especially in the field of education and technology.
On December 6, the delegation visited École Centrale de Marseille in Marseille, France, and met with its vice president Dominique Eyheramendy. During the meeting, Ren Zhongqi introduced the latest developments of BUCT in talent cultivation and technological innovation. He also pointed out that BUCT has always been open to international cooperation with universities in Europe, especially in France, where there has been a good foundation for joint research and talent cultivation. Ren expressed hopes that this visit would further strengthen cooperation and contribute to global higher education and technological development. At the same time, the delegation extended a sincere invitation to École Centrale de Marseille to participate in the 12th World Chemical Engineering Conference and the 21st Asia-Pacific Chemical Engineering Alliance Conference, which will be hosted by BUCT in 2025, in order to further deepen academic exchange and cooperation between the two universities.
Later, the Deputy Director of Scientific Research, Miguel Alonso, and the Deputy Director of International Affairs, Didier Nuel, reported on the education models and curriculum systems between engineering schools and general universities. The two parties agreed to cooperate in research and talent cultivation, and to jointly devise specific paths to and strategies for future cooperation, including integrating the disciplinary advantages of the two schools, promoting interdisciplinary integration, building research platforms, and carrying out short-term and long-term students exchange programs etc.
At the Chinese Consulate General in Marseille, Acting Consul General Shi Yuli met with the delegation. Ren Zhongqi gave an overview of BUCT's efforts in implementing the spirit of the National Education Conference, with which the school has been actively expanding foreign exchanges, especially in educational cooperation with France. The two sides then exchanged views on future support for the collaboration of BUCT and French universities in joint operation and personnel training.
On December 9, the delegation visited Universidad Tecnológica de La Habana José Antonio Echeverría in Havana, Cuba, and had a discussion with President Martha Dunia Delgado Dapena, First Vice President Daniel Alfonso Robaina, Vice President Osney Pérez Ones, and heads of relevant departments, faculties, and professor representatives. Ren Zhongqi introduced BUCT’s latest progress in talent cultivation, scientific research, and international exchanges. He expressed that education, science & technology, and talent are the foundational and strategic pillars for China's modernization. Therefore, BUCT attaches great importance to the cultivation of innovative talents, and will continuously implement global strategies to raise its level of internationalization. He then signed a cooperation agreement with President Martha Dunia Delgado Dapena to establish a joint laboratory, and expressed intentions to strengthen practical cooperation in fields of life sciences, chemical engineering, and materials through joint research projects. He hoped that the signing of the agreement will become a new opportunity for enhancing collaboration, and contribute to the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind with the wisdom and strength of universities.
On December 12, the delegation visited Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) and had discussions with professor representatives from the School of Architecture, the School of Environment, and the Department of Chemical Engineering. Ren Zhongqi gave an introduction of the progress and initiatives carried out by BUCT, including educational reform, innovative talent cultivation, discipline construction, scientific research, faculty recruitment, and international exchange and cooperation. Both universities agreed to deepen cooperation in areas of talent training, scientific research, student and faculty exchange, and short-term teaching etc., with the hope of benefiting the development of both universities and contributing to the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.
During the academic exchange session, both parties gave themed reports on topics such as multi-energy complementary systems in architecture, application of materials and chemical engineering in construction, electrochemistry, and anti-corrosion coatings etc. They then paid a visit to the new materials laboratory and the thermal energy storage laboratory. Ren Zhongqi sincerely invited DTU to participate in the 12th World Chemical Engineering Conference and the 21st Asia-Pacific Chemical Alliance Conference to be hosted by BUCT in 2025 while BUCT was also invited in return by DTU to participate in the first International Symposium on Intelligent Materials for Energy-Efficient Building Environment Control, both of which pave the way for the two sides to expand cooperation in the future.
During the delegation’s stay in Paris and Copenhagen, recruitment for overseas teachers and international students were held respectively to attract talents needed for the development of BUCT’s disciplines. The recruitment was warmly received by many young scholars. Ren Zhongqi introduced BUCT's overall development and talent recruitment policies, and answered their questions of concern in detail. He later had discussions with many young scholars who were willing to join BUCT.
The delegation includes Qin Peiyong, Dean of Houdebang Engineer School, Li Zheng, Director of the Information Technology (Information Center), Xie Pengcheng, Dean of the High-Tech Research Institute, and Fan Fan, Director of the Audit Office.