Long-standing relationships were strengthened and new opportunities explored through a visit by some of our senior leaders to mainland China and Hong Kong. A high-level delegation travelled in East Asia to expand our global network and explore opportunities to strengthen partnerships in the region. The visit included meetings with our university and institutional partners, the launch of a new scholarship campaign, and meetings with senior UK representatives in China.
A warm welcome at Peking University
Our delegation received a very warm welcome during a formal reception at PKU, where we have a long-standing relationship, and research collaborations across disciplines including languages, law, archaeology, chemistry and earth sciences.
We are renewing our Memorandum of Understanding with PKU, and working to expand educational and research cooperation.
Strengthening ties at Nanjing University
The delegation also visited Nanjing University, a key partner with which we established a Memorandum of Understanding in June 2022. Since then, we have collaborated in fields including astronomy, business, and archaeology. During this visit, we deepened our partnership by signing a student exchange agreement, further enhancing academic and cultural exchange between our institutions.
Durham 200 Hong Kong Scholarships
The visit allowed us to begin discussions with some of our senior alumni in Hong Kong about our ambitions to raise funds for the Durham 200 Hong Kong Scholarships, which are linked to our bicentenary in 2032.
Partnership with the Palace Museum, Beijing, and more
We also further strengthened our partnership with the Palace Museum, in Beijing, renewed the Memorandum of Understanding with China Scholarship Council, visited Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange and held meetings with senior UK representatives in China, including Dame Caroline Wilson, the UK Ambassador to China.
Our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Karen O’Brien, also took part in discussions with agencies including the British Council, UK Research and Innovation, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
We also held two very well-attended alumni receptions, in Beijing and Shanghai, and a meeting with senior leaders in the renewably energy sector.
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