University of Sheffield Agrees Engineering Exchange with China and the US

30th September 2016

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield has today (28 September 2016) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Nanjing University to contribute to an innovative tripartite exchange programme that also involves Ohio State University in the US.

The three world-leading universities will hold summer programmes to support undergraduate engineering students to work together to innovate, create and commercialise their inventions. The students will work on technological solutions to help improve the lives of those with medical conditions. The University of Sheffield already has a long track record in developing the entrepreneurial skills of its students, with student start-up companies receiving over £2 million in investment last year. Professor Sir Keith Burnett, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sheffield, who attended the signing ceremony at Nanjing University during a visit to China, said: "This is a tremendous development and one which will offer genuinely exciting opportunities to engineering students from all three countries to work together on stimulating projects in international teams. "I am delighted that the University of Sheffield is able to use its strength in engineering and enterprise education in such positive manner to work internationally with other similar-minded universities. Innovation and entrepreneurial skills are truly critical to the economies of the UK, China and the US." Nanjing University partners the University of Sheffield in its Confucius Institute, which has twice been named a Global Confucius Institute of the Year. The two universities also have longstanding partnerships in key areas of engineering and materials science. In addition, the Vice-Chancellor addressed Nanjing students on the subject of political economy and the future for young people of both nations at the request of the University's President, with whom he has developed a strong relationship of scholarship and friendship. Professor Zhang Yibin, Chancellor of Nanjing University, said: -This three way exchange builds on the long-term relationship Nanjing University has with Sheffield and the ongoing program with Ohio State, so it integrates current bilateral partnerships into a new stage. -In China, Nanjing University is one of the four national demonstration bases for innovation and entrepreneurship of higher education. I believe it very necessary to have more international partners in training global leaders with innovation and entrepreneurial abilities.-