In response to the national strategy of advancing the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative and to further promote the university’s internationalization strategy, Vice President Wang Feng of Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT) led a delegation on visits to three European countries from September 15 to 24. The delegation visited the Technical University of Crete (TUC) and the University of Patras in Greece, the University of Lisbon and NOVA University Lisbon in Portugal, as well as the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences in Norway. The delegation also visited the Chinese embassies in Greece, Portugal, and Norway. In-depth discussions were held on advancing substantive collaboration in areas including inter-university partnerships, Confucius Institute development, collaborative education programs, joint establishment of laboratories, and scientific research and innovation, achieving significant outcomes.
BUCT and TUC Sign an Inter-Institutional Framework Cooperation Agreement
At the Technical University of Crete, the delegation held in-depth discussions with Vice Rector Danae Venieri, Vice Rector Fotios Kanellos, and Professor Petros Gikas, Dean of the School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering. The two institutions reached consensus on multiple fronts: to co-apply for international scientific research projects, to expand 2+2 undergraduate dual-degree programs and joint graduate training, and to encourage short-term student exchanges. Both parties signed an inter-institutional framework cooperation agreement, laying a solid foundation for enhancing research collaboration and talent development.
Delegation Visits University of Patras
At the University of Patras, the delegation held talks with Rector Christos Bouras, Vice Rector Ioannis Venetis, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences George Xydopoulos, Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering Alexandros Katsaounis, Professor of the Department of Civil Engineering Vagelis Papadakis, and other representatives. Leaders of both universities attached great importance to the bridging role of the Confucius Institute in promoting bilateral exchanges in humanities, science and technology, language education, and mutual learning of cultures. Substantive discussions centered on specific aspects of developing the Confucius Institute at the University of Patras. During the talks, the two sides also exchanged views on the high-quality development of the China–Greece Joint Laboratory and the establishment of dual-degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. During the visit, the delegation toured the Confucius Institute’s facilities and observed its teaching environment.
Delegation Visits Chinese Embassy in Greece
At the Chinese Embassy in Greece, Minister-Counsellor Lai Bo received the delegation. Vice President Wang Feng outlined BUCT’s cooperation achievements with Greek universities, including the development of Confucius Institutes, faculty and student exchanges, joint research, and academic exchanges, expressing gratitude for the long-term support provided by the embassy. Minister-Counsellor Lai highly commended the achievements made by BUCT in its cooperation with Greece. He expressed hope that the university would continue to leverage its disciplinary strengths, expand the scope of cooperation, and diversify the forms of cultural exchanges to inject new vitality into China–Greece friendly relations.
Delegation Visits Chinese Embassy in Portugal
At the Chinese Embassy in Portugal, Minister-Counsellor Hu Bin received the delegation. Vice President Wang Feng introduced the background of the visit and the progress of educational cooperation with Portuguese universities. Minister-Counsellor Hu reaffirmed the embassy’s continued support for the educational and scientific exchanges between China and Portugal, noting that it would serve as a bridge to facilitate substantive cooperation in chemical engineering.
Delegation Visits University of Lisbon
At the University of Lisbon, the delegation held talks with the university’s Vice President Zita Martins, Director of the International Affairs Department Rui Mendes, and heads of relevant faculties. The two universities introduced each other’s development history, disciplinary strengths, and internationalization strategies, exchanged views on deepening educational cooperation, and signed an inter-institutional framework cooperation agreement. During the visit, the delegation toured the Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Laboratory of the University of Lisbon, gaining insights into the research team’s achievements in sustainable water treatment technology and environmental remediation. Discussions were also held on co-establishing a China–Portugal joint laboratory and fostering deeper research collaboration.
Delegation Visits NOVA University Lisbon
At NOVA University Lisbon, Vice Rector João Amaro de Matos and Vice Rector Isabel Rocha extended a warm welcome to Vice President Wang Feng and his delegation, expressing their strong commitment to deepening cooperation between the two institutions. Vice President Wang Feng highlighted BUCT’s recent advances in research innovation, talent development, and international partnerships, emphasizing the visit’s role in fostering closer ties between the two institutions. BUCT presented a scroll of “A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains,” an iconic Chinese painting that symbolizes the grand prospects and boundless potential of their cooperation. Professors from chemical engineering, materials science, chemistry, and environmental science participated in the discussions. Both parties shared their research strengths and achievements in key disciplines and discussed future cooperation initiatives, including joint research projects and the co-hosting of international forums.
Delegation Visits Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research
At the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, the delegation engaged in substantive discussions with Director General Ivar H. Kristensen, Deputy Director General Per Stålnacke, Director of the Department of Environment and Resources Thomas Hartnik, Director of the Centre for Resource and Circular Technology Eric Joner, Researcher Liu Jihong in charge of China affairs, and Researcher Feng Lu, a BUCT alumna. Both institutions provided a comprehensive overview of their innovation progress and global cooperation networks, as well as research advances in areas such as waste valorization, environmental remediation, biorefining and biomanufacturing, and circular bioeconomy. They also conducted in-depth discussions on co-applying for a China–Norway joint laboratory and bilateral science and technology cooperation projects. The visit crystallized priority areas for future cooperation and laid a solid foundation for a more sustained partnership between the two institutions.
Delegation Visits Norwegian University of Life Sciences
At the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Professor Svein Jarle Horn, Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, provided a comprehensive overview of the faculty’s scale, educational programs, and significant research advancements in fields such as environmental biotechnology and food science. Both institutions reached consensus on strengthening collaborative innovation in areas including green chemical engineering, life sciences, and biorefining.
Delegation Visits Chinese Embassy in Norway
At the Chinese Embassy in Norway, Minister-Counsellor Zhou Ningyu received the delegation. Vice President Wang Feng outlined progress in faculty and student exchanges and research collaboration with Norwegian universities and research institutions, expressing hope that this visit would further deepen practical cooperation with Norway in green chemistry and related fields. Minister-Counsellor Zhou commended BUCT’s active engagement in China–Norway cooperation in science and education, reaffirming the embassy’s role in facilitating institutional interactions and catalyzing breakthrough achievements.
This visit further enhanced the cooperation between BUCT and prestigious universities and research institutions in Europe, expanding its global exchange and cooperation network. The delegation members included: Guo Xindong, Executive Vice Dean of the Office of Scientific Research and Development; Wang Taoye, Dean of the Graduate School; Liu Guangqing, Executive Dean of the Institute of “Belt & Road” Global Cooperation; and Zhang Jin, Deputy Director of the Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Soft Matter Science and Engineering.