Recently, Beijing University of Technology established the Liaison Office in the UK, which is the first international cooperation overseas liaison office established by the university. On the morning of May 5th, Liu Gonghui, deputy secretary of the university party committee and president of the university, met with Professor Yu Li from Cardiff University in the UK on behalf of the of the university and presented him with a letter of appointment as the Liaison Officer of Beijing University of Technology in the UK. Vice President Wu Bin, the relevant person in charge of the International Exchange and Cooperation Office and the Institute of Construction and the International College accompanied.

President Liu Gonghui introduced the overall situation of Beijing University of Technology and the status quo of international development. He pointed out that under the background of the country’s overall promotion of “double first-class” construction and Beijing’s “four centers” positioning, Beijing University of Technology urgently needs to improve the level of international education and continuously improve the international work  force. According to the overall planning of the international development strategy, Beijing University of Technology decided to gradually establish a number of overseas liaison offices to further improve the international exchange and cooperation network, deepen all-round cooperation with overseas quality universities, and enhance the university’s international reputation. He affirmed Professor Yu Li’s positive contribution to promoting the exchanges and cooperation between Beijing University of Technology and Cardiff University. He expressed the hope that Professor Yu Li, as the liaison officer of the first overseas liaison office of Beijing University of Technology, can further expand the international communication network of Beijing University of Technology in the UK and strengthen multi-level pragmatic cooperation.

Professor Yu Li thanked Beijing University of Technology for the trust in him. He said that he is honored to be appointed as the overseas liaison officer of Beijing University of Technology. He will spare no effort to explore more quality partners in the UK and build a platform for pragmatic cooperation and exchanges between teachers and students to contribute to the internationalization of Beijing University of Technology.

President Liu Gonghui presented Professor Yu Li with a letter of appointment as the Liaison Officer of Beijing University of Technology in the UK and as the joint instructor for PhD students.

The Liaison Office of Beijing University of Technology in the UK is the first overseas liaison office for international cooperation established by Beijing University of Technology. The layout and construction of the overseas liaison office is an important measure for Beijing University of Technology to implement the open education and international education, promote the realization of international development strategy, and improve the international work force. In accordance with the working policies of “expanding the network, focusing on publicity, promoting cooperation, introducing talents, enhancing services, and contacting alumni, it is promoted and implemented step by step to continuously consolidate the pivotal nodes of the university’s global cooperation network. In conjunction with the hot spot distribution of students from Beijing University of Technology, the intensity of overseas partners and the need for the structural optimization of international student resources, the university plans to set up overseas liaison offices in the UK, Ireland, Poland, South Korea and Cambodia with regional liaison officers equipped. The main responsibilities of overseas liaison officers include: maintaining and strengthening existing inter-university exchange partnerships, expanding international exchange and cooperation networks, and promoting targeted project cooperation with world-class universities, assisting in the introduction of overseas high-level talents and international student enrollment, contacting the overseas alumni and the construction and service of the overseas alumni network.

Professor Yu Li is the Director of the Research Center for Eco-cities and Sustainable Development in China and Britain at Cardiff University in the UK and the Principal Investigator of the China Urban Science Research Association. During the visit, Professor Yu Li will give a series of keynote reports to teachers and students in the professional fields of urban and rural planning in the Institute of Construction and Regulation, and conduct exchanges and academic discussions.