To support the Belt and Road initiative and actively deepen educational and scientific cooperation with Southeast Asian and South Asian countries, from May 11 to 16, Tan Tieniu, Chair of NJU CPC Council and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences led a delegation to Bangladesh and Thailand. They engaged in extensive discussions with local government education and science departments, universities, and research institutions on research collaboration, talent cultivation, and cultural exchange, signing memorandums of understanding to inject new momentum into regional development.
Visit to Bangladesh: Focusing on talent cultivation and sustainable development
On the morning of May 12, Tan Tieniu visited the Ministry of Education in Bangladesh and held talks with Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, the Education Advisor of the Interim Government of Bangladesh. Tan noted that 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Bangladesh and the " China-Bangladesh People-to-People Exchange Year." Educational cooperation is a key avenue for implementing the Belt and Road initiative. NJU looks forward to working with Bangladeshi universities and research institutions to focus on key disciplines, deepen talent cultivation, and research collaboration, effectively implementing the consensus reached by the leaders of both countries. Abrar highly agreed on the strategic significance of educational cooperation and expressed hope to foster partnerships between Bangladesh's top universities and NJU through faculty and student exchanges and joint research to aid the economic and social development of both countries.
Tan Tieniu and Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar in Discussion
Subsequently, Tan Tieniu visited the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and held talks with Vice-Chancellor Abu Borhan Mohammad Badruzzaman. Tan introduced the historical background, academic strengths, and achievements in emerging engineering at NJU's Suzhou campus. Badruzzaman warmly welcomed the delegation and looked forward to exploring new paths in faculty and student exchanges and interdisciplinary research through collaboration between the two universities. They discussed cooperation opportunities in environmental science, computer science, artificial intelligence, chemical engineering, and urban planning, and signed a memorandum of understanding.
Tan Tieniu and Abu Borhan Mohammad Badruzzaman Sign Memorandum of Understanding
In the afternoon, Tan visited the University of Dhaka and met with Vice-Chancellor Niaz Ahmed Khan. Tan stated that both the University of Dhaka and Nanjing University are top comprehensive universities with highly compatible academic structures and broad prospects for future collaboration. Vice-Chancellor Khan fully agreed, and both parties signed a memorandum of understanding to promote diverse cooperation in international Chinese education, environmental governance, and economics and management. During the visit, Tan attended a special session on studying at NJU, introducing the university to students and answering questions about academic planning and campus life.
Tan Tieniu and Niaz Ahmed Khan Sign Memorandum of Understanding
On the morning of May 13, Tan visited the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences and engaged in discussions with President AK Azad Chowdhury on research topics of mutual interest to China and Bangladesh. Tan invited more young Bangladeshi scientists to visit, jointly cultivating young research talent to support the friendship and development of both countries. Both sides agreed to conduct research collaboration in areas such as climate change response, water pollution control, computer science, and life sciences.
Tan Tieniu and AK Azad Chowdhury in Discussion
Visit to Thailand: Deepening educational and scientific cooperation and strengthening friendship
On the afternoon of May 14, Tan met with Supachai Jaismut, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation of Thailand. Tan stated that on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of China-Thailand diplomatic relations and the "Golden Year of Friendship," NJU will leverage its strengths to deepen cooperation with Thailand's top universities in joint research, talent cultivation, and cultural exchange. Supachai Jaismut highly praised the long-standing friendly relations between China and Thailand and hoped that NJU and Thai universities would strengthen cooperation to promote deep integration of higher education between the two countries, injecting new momentum into cultural exchange and technological progress.
Tan Tieniu and Supachai Jaismut in Discussion
The same day, Tan visited Chulalongkorn University, discussing cooperation in key disciplines such as life sciences, earth sciences, and chemical engineering. Future plans include promoting faculty and student exchanges through visiting scholars and short- and long-term study programs, further expanding cooperation dimensions.
On the morning of May 15, Tan visited the CAS Innovation Cooperation Center (Bangkok), where Executive Director Wang Junwei briefed him on the center's construction. Tan noted that NJU has a strong foundation in basic research, with two achievements selected for "China’s Top Ten Scientific Advances" in 2024. Recent efforts have strengthened basic research, technological innovation, and the coordinated development of technology transfer, achieving remarkable results in new engineering fields such as artificial intelligence and integrated circuits. Both sides discussed Southeast Asian technology needs, hoping to integrate NJU's research strengths with the center's platform resources to explore cross-border technology transfer in fields like artificial intelligence and green technology, helping "NJU Wisdom" reach ASEAN.
On the afternoon of May 15, Tan visited the Asia Institute of Technology and met with President Li Baiqi. They explored cooperation opportunities in artificial intelligence, energy and resources, and emergency management, reaching a preliminary agreement to establish a joint research center. Tan emphasized that as a comprehensive university, NJU has strong professional capabilities and has recently focused on building its Suzhou campus, emphasizing new engineering disciplines with cutting-edge and innovative systems, yielding fruitful results. Both sides agreed that their strengths and resources are complementary, with significant cooperation potential, and will promote shared research resources and joint talent cultivation through a memorandum of understanding.
Tan Tieniu and Li Baiqi in Discussion
Later, Tan visited Thammasat University and held talks with Supreedee Rittironk, Vice President for International Affairs, discussing how to advance cultural exchange to a new stage. Tan reviewed the cooperation between the two universities and introduced the latest international educational achievements and research developments at NJU. They plan to innovate cooperation models in international Chinese education, jointly organizing summer camps and Chinese speech contests to create cross-cultural dialogue platforms for youth from both countries. Subsequently, they will sign a memorandum of understanding and student exchange agreements.
Tan Tieniu and Supreedee Rittironk in Discussion
On May 16, the delegation visited Siriraj Hospital at Mahidol University. Prapat Wanitpongpan, Deputy Director of Corporate Communication and International Relations, warmly welcomed the delegation. Both sides will build on the cooperation between NJU's Gulou Hospital and Siriraj Hospital, using modern technology to explore the scientific value of traditional medicine and promote the integration of Chinese and Thai medicine.
Tan Tieniu and Prapat Wanitpongpan in Discussion
Subsequently, Tan visited Mahidol University and held talks with Vice President for Global Engagement Nopraenue Sajjarax Dhirathiti. Tan reviewed the cooperation achievements in joint research and academic exchange between the two universities. Both sides agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding, focusing on life sciences, chemical engineering, and international Chinese education, promoting cooperation through faculty exchanges, joint course development, expert visits, and summer camps.
Tan Tieniu and Nopraenue Sajjarax Dhirathiti in Discussion
Representatives from relevant departments of NJU accompanied the visit.
