On the morning of November 30, 2021, Consul General of the Consulate General of the United States of America in Guangzhou, Lisa K. Heller and her delegation visited the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech). Dongxiao Zhang, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Xueming Yang, Acting Vice President for Research, Li Jin, Acting Vice President for Humanities and Social Sciences, Chunmiao Zheng, Vice Provost for Global Strategies, and Mingzhao Xing, Dean of the School of Medicine, Xin Yang, Dean of the School of the Environment, and Thomas Kvan, Dean of the School of Design, welcomed the guests.

Lisa K. Heller and her delegation observed the University's campus model, research facilities and  residential colleges. They also appreciated students' calligraphy and painting work, a Guqin performance and other extracurricular learning and life activities organized by residential colleges.

At the meeting, the two sides discussed the current state of academic cooperation between SUSTech and partner universities in the United States, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international academic exchanges, and opportunities for collaboration between Chinese and American universities in a variety of fields. Provost Dongxiao Zhang gave a warm welcome to the guests and a brief summary of the current state of academic affairs of SUSTech. He described SUSTech as a youthful, modern and rapidly expanding research university with a high percentage of international faculty and extensive and in-depth academic collaborations with institutions of the United States. He expressed his hope that SUSTech can expand its academic collaboration with American colleges in order to foster student training  and scientific research, and that the two sides can work together to cope with the pressing issues such as fight against the pandemic and climate change.

Consul General Heller spoke highly of the rapid growth and development of SUSTech. She acknowledged the international standing and innovative approach taken by the University. She stated that China and the United States have a lot of potential for partnership in a range of areas. She stated that fostering educational exchange has always been a key priority for her, and she voiced her complete support for boosting educational collaboration and scholar exchange between China and the United States. Despite the various limits imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, she is optimistic about the potential for academic cooperation between China and the United States.

Acting Vice President Xueming Yang introduced the research accomplishments of SUSTech. He stated that SUSTech is committed to developing fundamental disciplines and pursuing multidisciplinary approaches. Acting Vice President Li Jin outlined the organizational structure of the Humanities and Social Sciences of SUSTech and SUSTech's aspiration to develop well-rounded students. Vice Provost  Chunmiao Zheng introduced the various international programs for students, which encourage and support students to study abroad to gain international experiences and perspectives. Dean Mingzhao Xing briefed the delegation on the School of Medicine's overall vision. Dean Xin Yang discussed the initiatives taken the School of the Environment in global change related research, an area of great mutual interest for China and the US, and Dean Thomas Kvan introduced the new School of Design and its importance in relation to Shenzhen's future development.

Other members of Consul General Heller's delegation included Eric Frater, Consul, Economic and Political Section Chief of the U.S Consulate General in Guangzhou, Adam Gannaway, Deputy Consul, Economic Officer of the U.S Consulate General in Guangzhou, and Jeffrey Wood, Deputy Consul, Cultural Affairs Officer of the U.S Consulate General in Guangzhou.

Editor: Xin XIA

Reviewer: Christopher CLARKE