On March 18, Chen Jun, Executive Vice President of Nankai University, met with Geraldine McCafferty, Minister & Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy Beijing, and her delegation on Jinnan Campus.

Chen Jun welcomed McCafferty and her delegation and introduced Nankai University’s educational philosophy, disciplinary structure, research strengths, and cooperation with UK partners. He highlighted recent progress in collaboration with leading British universities, including the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, the University of Glasgow, and the University of Birmingham, particularly in talent development, joint research, and platform building. He noted that science, technology, and education are playing an increasingly strategic role in national development and international cooperation, and that universities bear an important responsibility in supporting future industries and advancing the common well-being of humanity. Nankai University is committed to deepening cooperation with UK partners in environmental and sustainability-related fields by starting with marine ecological conservation, while steadily expanding collaboration in life sciences and interdisciplinary research so as to achieve more substantive outcomes in joint research, academic exchanges, and the sharing of research outcomes. In addition, it will further strengthen international talent development by enhancing students’ global competence and fostering the integration of science, technology, and the humanities and social sciences.

McCafferty expressed her appreciation for the warm reception and spoke highly of Nankai University’s achievements in education, research, and cooperation with UK partners. She noted that the purpose of the visit was to further advance bilateral cooperation in science, technology and research. She added that during the UK Prime Minister’s recent visit to China, positive signals were sent regarding cooperation in education and science and technology, with education remaining a vital link between the two countries. Building on the existing strong foundation of cooperation, the UK side is willing to continue supporting collaboration between Nankai University and British universities and research institutions in areas of shared global concern, further strengthening joint research and academic exchange to deliver more tangible outcomes.

Later that day, the delegation also toured laboratories at the College of Environmental Science and Engineering and held discussions on topics including marine ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, pollution prevention and control, and green and low-carbon development.

（Edited and translated by Nankai News Team.)