Tianjin University of Science and Technology and Ghent University (Belgium): Exchange Visits Facilitate In-depth and Practical International Cooperation

Recently, a delegation from Tianjin University of Science and Technology (TUST) paid an exchange visit to Ghent University in Belgium, and the two universities reached a number of consensuses. The official platform of Ghent University released relevant news, which attracted wide attention. Zhang Chi, Chief Representative of the university's East Asia Platform, its Chinese partners and many Chinese alumni all paid great attention to it. After the visit, the two universities actively implemented their cooperation intentions through a series of activities, jointly promoting the in-depth and practical development of international cooperation and injecting new vitality into the exchanges between China and Belgium in the fields of higher education and scientific research.

On July 14th, Patrick Sorgeloos, an authoritative expert in the international aquaculture field, Honorary Professor of Ghent University (Belgium) and Visiting Professor of Tianjin University of Science and Technology, visited TUST to carry out academic activities. In the morning, Professor Sorgeloos gave a lecture themed "Brine Shrimp Resources and Industrial Chain" to teachers and students of the College of Marine and Environmental Sciences. He systematically sorted out the global distribution of brine shrimp resources, the industrial development process and market scale, and analyzed the core advantages and future development directions of this industry under climate change with specific cases. More than 100 teachers and students at the scene actively asked questions, and the interaction was enthusiastic. In the afternoon, he went to the Asian Regional Brine Shrimp Reference Center of TUST, listened to the team's report on the latest research progress in brine shrimp population genetics, breeding technology and active substance development, fully affirmed the achievements of the center, put forward constructive suggestions for its future development, and encouraged teachers and students to inherit the spirit of scientists and strive to climb the peak of scientific research.

On July 14th, Wang Min, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice President of Tianjin University of Science and Technology, held a discussion with Patrick Sorgeloos, Honorary Professor of Ghent University (Belgium) and authoritative expert in the international aquaculture field, and reached a number of consensuses on in-depth cooperation between the two universities. During the discussion, Wang Min stated that TUST has always attached importance to international exchanges and cooperation, and is committed to building a high-level cooperation platform. He believes that Ghent University has strong strength in many fields, which is highly consistent with TUST's advantageous disciplines, and there is broad room for cooperation. Professor Sorgeloos highly appraised the development achievements of TUST, introduced the school-running and scientific research advantages of Ghent University as well as its international cooperation progress, and expressed the willingness for in-depth cooperation. The two sides reached three major consensuses:jointly establish a joint laboratory, share resources, complement each other's advantages, and carry out cutting-edge research;promote the flexible introduction of foreign experts, give play to the role of international intellectual resources, and support discipline construction and talent cultivation;implement double-doctorate and short-term graduate exchange programs, build a cross-cultural learning platform, and cultivate high-quality talents with an international perspective.Both sides stated that they will take this exchange as an opportunity to promote the implementation and effectiveness of various cooperation projects, continuously enhance the academic influence and international reputation of the two universities, and contribute positively to the exchange and cooperation in higher education and scientific research between China and Belgium.

This discussion is not only an extension and implementation of the achievements of the previous visit of TUST's delegation to Ghent University, but also an important measure for TUST to implement the "Pioneer Program" international communication action plan. In the next step, TUST will continue to actively expand international cooperation and exchanges, empower the high-quality connotative development of the university's undertakings, and help achieve the goal of becoming a high-level research-oriented university.