The Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bath, Professor Phil Taylor, has recently concluded a highly successful five-day visit to China, reinforcing strategic partnerships with two of the country’s leading institutions and strengthening the University’s international profile.

The visit centred on long-standing collaborations with Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) and Tsinghua University, both members of China’s prestigious C9 group. In Xi’an, the Vice-Chancellor attended XJTU’s 130th anniversary celebrations, delivered a keynote address at the World-Class University Presidents’ Forum, and met with senior leadership to sign a Memorandum of Understanding and an agreement to advance plans for an educational partnership between the two universities. In Beijing, the Vice-Chancellor was formally awarded an Honorary Professorship by Tsinghua University and delivered a Global Vision lecture to staff and students. Discussions highlighted strong alignment between the two universities’ research priorities, particularly in energy, climate change, public health and digital, and identified new opportunities for joint research, doctoral supervision and student exchange.

The visit also included a reception for alumni and offer holders in Beijing, meetings with the British Council and the British Embassy, and targeted media activity to showcase the University’s global partnerships and research strengths. A further meeting with North China Electric Power University opened the door to renewed collaboration in green energy, education and training.

Professor Phil Taylor commented:

This visit was highly productive and enabled valuable engagement with a wide range of the University’s stakeholders in China. Our discussions strengthened strategic partnerships with Xi’an Jiaotong University and Tsinghua University and identified significant opportunities for future collaboration in education and research. I was also delighted by the enthusiasm and commitment of our alumni in China, whose continued connection is a significant asset to the University. Overall, the visit showcased the strength of our global partnerships and the impact we can achieve through close collaboration.

The visit significantly strengthened institutional relationships, advanced key strategic initiatives, and raised the University’s profile in China and internationally, underlining its commitment to impactful global partnerships.