Recently, at the invitation of partner institutions including the University of Göttingen in Germany, Party Secretary Wang Hongyuan, Chairman of the University Council, led a delegation to Europe, visiting the University of Göttingen, the Technical University in Zvolen, Slovakia, and the University of Graz in Austria. The delegation worked to strengthen Sino-European cooperation in joint education programs, student training, research initiatives, and talent exchange. They also established platforms for international research collaboration and youth exchange between China and Europe, reaching several cooperation agreements and signing related partnership agreements.

On September 19, Wang Hongyuan met with Dr. Uwe Muuss, Director of the International Office at the University of Göttingen, Professor Christian Ammer, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, and Professor Zhang Kai, Head of the Department of Wood Technology and Wood-Based Composites. Wang Hongyuan discussed BFU’s profile and visit objectives, highlighting the University of Göttingen Forestry Faculty’s research achievements. Both universities are recognized for their top-tier forestry education and research and share a commitment to social responsibility and solving global issues related to human-nature coexistence. Future cooperation between two sides will focus on joint labs and student exchanges, with plans to establish a dedicated task force soon. Professor Christian Ammer and our head of International Affairs outlined their respective institutions’ advancements in forestry disciplines and the latest university achivements and international strategies respectively, paving the way for further collaboration in forestry and forest engineering.

During the tour, the two parties engaged in further discussions on enhancing joint laboratory development, research collaborations, and student exchange programs. Wang commented on the University of Göttingen’s robust laboratory management and operational systems, recognizing them as a valuable reference. He highlighted the strong foundation for collaboration between the institutions, noting their overlapping research areas, and expressed a desire to deepen cooperation through initiatives such as joint doctoral training and online course development to address global challenges within their shared fields.

On September 21, the delegation visited the university’s experimental forest, where they exchanged insights on undergraduate education and science outreach initiatives. They also held a seminar for Chinese students studying in Germany, presenting BFU’s talent recruitment policies and engaging in discussions on cutting-edge topics within their fields of study.

On September 23, Wang and his team traveled to Zvolen, Slovakia, to meet with Professor Rudolf Kropil, President of the Technical University of Zvolen, Vice President Professor Jaroslav Šálka, and other scholars. During the visit, the two universities signed a Cooperation Protocol of establishing two Joint Laboratory for International Cooperation on Furniture Design and Manufacturing, and on Forest Policy and Economics. Both institutions reflected on their longstanding partnership, discussing recent development plans and notable breakthroughs. Wang emphasized BFU’s commitment to the collaboration, expressing hope that the joint laboratories would mark a new chapter for fostering innovation in research and cultural exchanges among faculty and students.

On September 24th, the delegation with representatives of Technical University of Zvolen, explored various facilities including the College of Home Design and Manufacturing, the College of Forestry Economics and Policy, the School Innovation Center, and the Forestry Management Department, as well as the Forestry Museum.

On September 25, Wang Hongyuan and his delegation met with Dr. Peter Riedler, President of the University of Graz, along with other scholars. Wang praised the University of Graz for its renowned focus on addressing global challenges like climate change and health, noting the alignment with BFU's commitment to ecological sustainability. He expressed hope for expanding and deepening collaboration across multiple fields. Both parties shared their universities’ histories and reviewed past faculty collaborations, agreeing that Professors Katalin Barta from Graz and Sun Zhuohua from BFU have laid a strong foundation for future exchanges. They agreed to establish a joint lab and sign an inter-university cooperation agreement soon, with plans to collaborate on student exchange and research initiatives. After the meeting, they discussed potential areas of cooperation, especially in chemistry research.

The visits significantly strengthened BFU's relationships with leading European universities and major forestry institutions, expanding the substantial collaborations across various fields and enhancing exchanges with European universities. BFU remains committed to an open education strategy, actively contributing to Sino-Western scientific, educational, and cultural exchange. Representatives from the Office for International Relations, Network Information Center, the President's Office, and the College of Material Science and Technology participated in these activities.

Written by Sun Zhuohua
Translated and edited by Song He
Reviewed by Yu Yangyang