Professor Forster during his visit to China in 2015
University of Essex Vice-Chancellor Professor Anthony Forster will visit China this week to develop further links with Chinese businesses and universities.
He will also meet students looking to study at the University of Essex at special events in Shanghai and Guangzhou.
During his 10-day visit Professor Forster will network with businesses in Jiangsu Province thanks to Essex International, Essex County Council’s international trade team which promotes economic opportunities facilitated by their longstanding, 27 year, partnership between Jiangsu and Essex County Council.
He will also meet university leaders at Southeast University in Nanjing, Northwest University in Xi’an and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies in Guangzhou.
Tremendous support from Essex International
Professor Forster, who visited China in November last year, said: “We are looking to develop lasting partnerships with universities and businesses in China and encourage inward investment into the region so we are very grateful for Essex International’s tremendous support.
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“Our globally recognised expertise in the social sciences and data analysis offers so many opportunities to build enduring collaborations – particularly in the fields of business, economics, languages and computer science.
“We also want to talk to innovative companies and fresh thinking start-ups who are interested in finding a new home on our growing Knowledge Gateway research and technology park.
“This visit builds on my previous trip and our existing links to China. We have more than 1,000 Chinese students studying at Essex, a network of more than 3,000 Chinese alumni and we look forward to welcoming many more.”
The University of Essex’s international community includes many leading academics from China and the university has research links in several key sectors including robotics. It has also delivered targeted training including a bespoke course for Chinese-based state-owned businesses.
Driving growth in Essex and Jiangsu
Cllr Kevin Bentley, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth at Essex County Council, said: “It is fantastic to see Professor Forster and the University of Essex building connections with businesses and educational institutions in China thanks to the ongoing work of Essex International.
"Essex has been forging links with Jiangsu Province for nigh on thirty years. Seeing the academic and business worlds join forces in this way to drive economic growth both in Essex and Jiangsu is another example of how Essex Means Business.”
Open evenings for future students from China
Open evenings for students thinking about studying at the University of Essex are being held at Le Royal Meridien Hotel in Shanghai from 6 to 9pm on Wednesday 11 May and at the Westin Hotel in Guangzhou from 6 to 9pm on Tuesday 17 May.
The visit is part of a longer term strategy to nurture links with China across education and business. Professor Forster’s previous visit to China included visits to the Institute of Automation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CASIA) in Beijing; Sichuan International Studies University (SISU) in Chongqing; South Western University of Finance and Economics (SWUFE) in Chengdu; Nanjing Normal University; and Nanjing University.