Xia  Jianhui, education counselor at the Chinese Embassy in the UK, Li Ji,  counselor at the Chinese Embassy in the Portugal, Professor Cui Yunhua, deputy secretary of the Party Committee of DHU,Cui  Zhanfeng, professor of Oxford University, Chu Daping, professor of  Cambridge University, Zhu Ziqiang, professor of Sheffield University,  Xiong Yu, professor of Surrey University in UK, Dr. Li Yuanyuan from the  Graduate School of Tsinghua University, Shi Hao, chairman of  CSSA-Portugal, and Zhang Feng, chairman of CSSA-UK, delivered speeches  at the opening ceremony of the Forum.

On the occasion of the COVID-19 outbreak  and the world being facing historic shift,  the Forum adopted a way of  online dialogue, building a platform for academic exchanges for scholars  from the United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, the Netherlands and other countries. The Forum focused on such themes as “Exploring the Frontiers of Science and Technology and Shaping the Post-Epidemic Pattern Together” and “Belt And Road Technological Innovation and Cooperation”, which were divided into sub-forums including “Information Technology”, “Biochemical Medicine”, “International Relations and Media”, and “Economy and Domestic Policies”.  Top experts and research scholars in related fields were invited to  communicate with each other and discuss the current development of  science and technology and the future pattern of Europe and the world.

(Cui Yunhua making a speech)

Cui Yunhua briefly introduced the development process and construction achievements of DHU since its founding. She pointed out that DHU always adheres to the principle of running university by taking root in China, continuously consolidates and upgrades its discipline characteristics and advantages, and drives more disciplines into the front fields, and promotes more cutting-edge technological innovations and achievements to serve the robust economic growth, people’s livelihood, and major national strategies. It has constantly improved its running quality and comprehensive strength. Meanwhile, DHU actively promotes the new era education, insists on opening up and carries out cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, for example, the China-UK Fashion Forum, exhibition and performance for Edinburgh International Fringe Festival, Asia-Europe Sustainable Fashion Seminar, fashion exchanges and mutual learning between countries along the Belt and Road and other events are held regularly. DHU uses education as a medium to open a new window of cultural exchanges and dialogue among civilizations, contributes wisdom and strength to serve the overall international and domestic situation, and promotes the progress of human civilization. She also sincerely invited outstanding overseas scholars and doctoral students to join DHU, contributing to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

More than 200 scholars in the UK and Europe, including Professor Cui Zhanfeng, lifetime professor of Chemical Engineering at Oxford University and academician of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Professor Chu Daping, lifetime chair professor of Engineering and Innovation at Cambridge University, fellow of the British Physical Society, and fellow of the British Engineering and Technology Society, Professor Zhu Ziqiang, professor of Sheffield University, academician of the Royal Academy of Engineering, were invited to participate in the forum. Wang Xiyuan, associate professor of Fashion & Art Design School of DHU, presided over the “Economy and Domestic Policies” sub-forum, and gave a keynote speech on “Problems in the Transformation and Docking of Scientific and Technological Achievements in China and European countries along the Belt and Road”.

(Site of the online Forum)

DHU has always adhered to the university-running philosophy of “focusing on the overall development and success of students”, actively creating conditions for the growth and success of students, building platforms, constantly strengthening international exchanges and cooperation, and improving the quality of talent training and the university-running capabilities. It cooperates with University of Edinburgh in the UK to found Shanghai International College of Fashion and Innovation, cooperates with Lautlingen University of Applied Sciences in Germany to launch the undergraduate education program in light chemical engineering, establishes a comprehensive strategic partnership with European universities such as Lisbon University Institute in Portugal, As a result, a large number of inter-disciplinary talents with international vision and competitiveness have been cultivated.