A delegation from Chinese embassy in London had a hands-on demonstration of research this week as part of a visit to the University of Essex.

Mr Shen Yang, Minister Counsellor for Education and his colleagues met Essex robotics and wireless networks experts, translation and interpreting specialists and social scientists, and had tours of University facilities as part of the visit aimed at helping to cement the University’s China links.

The visit also gave Essex staff the chance to learn about China’s higher education and internationalisation strategy, and potential opportunities for collaboration and partnerships.

Following a meeting with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Anthony Forster, Mr Shen toured facilities including the ESSEXLab, a research laboratory which allows social scientists to run interactive experiments, and high-tech research resources used to study new networked technologies.

The visit follows that of Mr Shen’s predecessor, Mr Tian Xiaogang who came to Essex’s Colchester Campus in 2009. This event resulted in two scholarships for Essex students to study in China, as well as an agreement with the China Scholarship Council to co-fund outstanding Chinese postgraduate research students who can contribute to Essex research.

Mr Shen, who took over as Minister Counsellor for Education at the Chinese Embassy in London in April 2012, has played an active role in shaping higher education internationalisation policy in China and Britain. Most recently he was invited to speak at the launch of the UK Government’s International Education Strategy in July.

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For further information and/or pictures from the event, please contact the University of Essex Communications Office, telephone: 01206 873529 or e-mails: comms@essex.ac.uk.