On January 15, Chen Yulu, President of Nankai University, met with Thomas Bailey, President of Teachers College, Columbia University, and his delegation at Haibing Center on Balitai Campus.

This meeting was also attended by Chen Jun, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Executive Vice President of Nankai University; Bai Changhong, Dean of the Business School of Nankai University; and He Zhiyi, Distinguished Professor of Nankai University, Dean of the Nankai University Global Institute for the Advancement of Industry and Technology.

Chen Yulu extended a warm welcome to Thomas Bailey and his delegation, and introduced Nankai University’s history, academic strengths and achievements in talent cultivation. He noted the long-standing ties between Nankai University and Columbia University. In 1917, Zhang Boling, the founding president of Nankai University, conducted a systematic study at Teachers College for more than a year, during which he developed modern educational philosophy that had a profound and lasting influence on Nankai University’s establishment and development. Chen Yulu also cited a number of Nankai University’s prominent scholars, including Zhang Pengchun, He Lian, Jiang Tingfu, Ling Bing, Ying Shangde and Yu Chuanjian, who were professors at or alumni of Columbia University. He said that the century-long academic lineage has formed a strong historical and emotional bond between the two sides. Chen Yulu added that Nankai University is actively exploring new approaches to integrating science and education with industrial innovation, supported by platforms such as the newly established Nankai University Global Institute for the Advancement of Industry and Technology. He said that initiatives by Teachers College to promote the development of industry-oriented discipline at the global level carry significant contemporary relevance and forward-looking value. He expressed hope that the visit would serve as an opportunity to advance deeper and more practical cooperation in areas including industry-oriented discipline development and the integration of education and industry, contributing jointly to global development.

Thomas Bailey thanked Nankai University for its warm hospitality and reflected on the long-standing ties between the two sides. He noted that President Zhang Boling is an outstanding alumnus of Teachers College. Thomas Bailey also recalled that prominent educators from the College, including John Dewey, Paul Monroe, and William Heard Kilpatrick, visited China on multiple occasions, and that this academic bond forged more than a century ago remains strong. Thomas Bailey pointed out that since 1900, Chinese students have studied at Teachers College and made important contributions to the development of education in China and worldwide. Today, he said, Chinese students continue to bring vitality to the global education community. Teachers College places great importance on its partnership with Nankai University and is willing to serve as an important hub in supporting the growth of Chinese students and the advancement of education. He expressed the expectation that the two sides will further strengthen cooperation in education and teaching, scientific research, talent cultivation, and faculty development, working together to promote greater progress in global education.

Prior to the meeting, representatives from both sides watched a commemorative video reviewing their century-long history of exchanges, highlighting the shared academic traditions, intellectual exchange and joint efforts in talent cultivation.

During the visit, Thomas Bailey and his delegation paid tribute at the statue of Zhou Enlai, an outstanding alumnus of Nankai University and founding Premier of the People’s Republic of China. They also visited the Monument of National Southwestern Associated University and Siyuan Hall, gaining deeper insight into Nankai University’s century-long commitment to nurturing talent, serving the nation, and strengthening the country through education.

（Edited and translated by Nankai News Team.)