From November 30 to December 3, 2023, Professor Hans J. van de Ven, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge (referred to as Cambridge), paid a visit to the Zhuhai and Guangzhou campuses of Sun Yat-sen University (abbreviated as SYSU), engaging in meaningful discussions with the SYSU leadership. The event was joined by representatives from the Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities, as well as various schools, departments from Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange.
On Zhuhai Campus, Professor Chen Chunsheng, Secretary of SYSU Party Committee, extended a warm welcome to Professor Hans J. van de Ven. Professor Chen Chunsheng provided an insightful overview of SYSU's development across its five campuses situated in Guangzhou, Zhuhai, and Shenzhen—three key cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Inviting Professor Hans J. van de Ven to participate in the university's project aligned with the national rural vitalization strategy, Professor Chen Chunsheng also proposed collaboration on research programs, encouraging interdisciplinary cooperation among researchers from geology, history, anthropology, etc.
Prof. Hans J. van de Ven met with Prof. Chen Chunsheng and joined the field work
Moving on to the Guangzhou Campus, Professor Gao Song, President of SYSU, provided an overview of the university's current initiatives in talent cultivation and international cooperation and exchange. Professor Gao Song highlighted the positive beginning between SYSU and Cambridge following his delegation's visit to the UK and Germany in June this year. The collaboration aims to address global challenges in health and the environment, emphasizing a mutually beneficial sharing of resources. In recent years, Zhongshan School of Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital, School of Physics and Astronomy, School of Business, Department of Chinese, School of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Earth Sciences and Engineering and Boya (Liberal Arts) College of SYSU, have already established partnerships with counterparts at Cambridge, fostering scientific research and enhancing the quality of faculty development and talent cultivation.
Professor Gao Song expressed his desire for the continued strengthening of academic connections between the two universities, promoting greater openness and collaboration in the future and enhancing the development of both sides to a new stage. Professor Xiao Haipeng, Executive Vice President of SYSU, and Professor Xie Shi, Vice President of SYSU, extended a warm invitation to Professor Hans J. van de Ven to participate in the celebration activities marking SYSU's 100th anniversary in 2024.
Prof. Hans J. van de Ven met with Prof. Gao Song
Prof. Gao Song presented the book The SYSU Campus in Chinese Ink Painting as a gift to Prof. Hans J. van de Ven
Expressing his deep appreciation for SYSU's hospitality, Professor Hans J. van de Ven conveyed gratitude for the engaging lectures and academic activities organized by the Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities. He found inspiration in the fieldwork and was impressed by SYSU's educational tradition, academic atmosphere, and recent achievements. Professor Hans J. van de Ven is keenly interested in returning to SYSU next year, committed to furthering high-level exchanges and promoting collaborations between the two institutions.
