The year 2023 holds great significance for Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU) as it strives to enhance its openness and propel its global development strategy forward.

To consolidate and expand its strategic cooperative partnerships with international organizations, attract more high-caliber talents, strengthen academic exchanges and mutual learning, Professor Shan Wenhua led a delegation of faculty members on a visit to universities, international groups, and research institutes in the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland from April 19 to 25. He is also an assistant to the XJTU president.

This visit aimed to deepen global governance, strengthen XJTU's international influence, and forge closer ties with renowned institutions worldwide. 

Consolidate and expand its ties with international partners

During their visit to Leiden University on April 19, Shan and the XJTU delegation had a productive meeting with Annetje Ottow, president of Leiden University, along with other senior officials. The two sides signed an agreement on collaborative talent development, engaging in discussions on the significance of cultural diversity appreciation, improved communication, mutual learning, and enhanced bilateral dialogue. 

Shan and the XJTU delegation visited Centrale Supélec and engaged in discussions with Didier Clouteau, vice-president of the university, and other senior representatives on April 21. During the meeting, the two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their cooperation. 

When visiting the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) on April 24, Shan and the XJTU delegation met with Anders Hagström, who is in charge of the Swiss university's international affairs. The two sides gave an introduction to their own universities, highlighting their strengths and achievements. They recalled the history of bilateral cooperation, and explored measures as well as methods to deepen inter-university cooperation on the basis of academic exchanges.

During the visit, Shan and the XJTU delegation also had the opportunity to visit the World Trade Institute (WTI) at the University of Bern. Shan and Peter Van den Bossche, director of studies at the WTI, conducted exchanges over talent cultivation and scientific research cooperation and clinched a cooperation MoU.

Strengthen capacity-building in global governance services

Shan and the XJTU delegation paid a visit to China's permanent delegation to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on April 21. They met with Yang Jin, Chinese ambassador and permanent delegate to the UNESCO, and other senior diplomats.

Later on the same day, Shan and the XJTU delegation visited the Secretariat of the UNESCO and held a meeting with Edouard Planche from the UNESCO Secretariat's cultural department, and Chihiro Nishikawa, head of the Secretariat of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage.

On April 25, Shan and the XJTU delegation held talks with Zhang Xiangchen, deputy director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO), over talent cultivation and scientific research cooperation in a visit to the WTO's headquarters. They also visited the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and met with Zhan Xiaoning, director of the UNCTAD's investment and enterprise department.

During their stay in Switzerland, Shan and the XJTU delegation met with Li Chenggang, China's ambassador to the WTO, and conducted in-depth exchanges over education cooperation, foreign-related talent cultivation, and sci-tech innovation.

Target the attraction of high-caliber talents

Shan and the XJTU delegation held promotional gatherings in Netherlands and France, met with XJTU alumni in the two countries, and spoke with outstanding representatives of Dutch and French young people about favorable policies and supportive measures adopted by the XJTU to attract more overseas talents.