The annual meeting of the Jiangsu-UK World Class University Consortium is held in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu province. [Photo/Yangtze Evening News]

The annual meeting of the Jiangsu-UK World Class University Consortium was held in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu province on Nov 18 by the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Education and British Council.

About 200 representatives from 32 Jiangsu universities, 17 UK universities, 26 industrial parks and companies, as well as the British Consulate General in Shanghai attended the meeting to discuss ways of enhancing cooperation between Chinese and foreign universities.

Nine university principals from Jiangsu and the UK shared their insights into the future of cooperation between the two sides. Shan Zhongde, principal of the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, said Chinese and UK universities should collaborate and pool their resources to train teachers and students as well as make scientific and technological breakthroughs.

Fang Jun, deputy director of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges of China's Ministry of Education, said opening up and cooperation are crucial to education reforms and high-quality education systems. He expressed hope that the Jiangsu-UK World Class University Consortium can leverage its resources to promote cooperation between universities and industries.

The consortium, established in 2019, aims to facilitate cooperation and exchanges between Jiangsu and UK universities. It has already forged many partnerships in areas such as teacher and student exchanges, scientific research, and cultural exchanges.

Forums themed on green and intelligent manufacturing, new energy, and healthcare were also held during the event.