Ministry of Science and Technology visits Peking University
Nie Biao and Xu Haoqing, the two vice directors of the Department of Foreign Expert Services, Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), visited foreign experts at Peking University and held talks with them. PKU Vice President Wang Bo, Dean of Faculty of Sciences Xiaoliang Sunney Xie joined the discussion.
They first paid an inspection tour to the PKU Biological Pioneering Innovation Center (BIOPIC) and learned more about research progress in fighting against COVID-19. Xie, who is also the director of BIOPIC, introduced the research development in neutralizing antibody treatment through the technique of unicellular genomics and stressed that his group would move faster to transform it into an effective drug, as part of the efforts to help the global fight against COVID-19. Both sides also discussed international sci-tech cooperation in epidemic prevention and control and the cultivation and introduction of young talents with international outlook.
In the Scientific Lecture Hall of Zhongguanyuan Global Village, leaders from MOST exchanged ideas with faculty and staff from PKU over strengthening global cooperation and optimizing talents introduction under new circumstance. Xia Hongwei, director of the Office of International Relations, hosted the forum.
In the forum, Wang Bo extended his appreciation to MOST for the care and support to PKU’s foreign experts. Facing the COVID-19 pandemic, Peking University has been rising to the challenge. Since February 17, classes have been moved online. A total of 76 foreign experts from 17 departments and schools delivered 133 courses in various forms, such as live broadcast, pre-recording, MOOCs and video conferences. In addition to participating in the World Economic Forum’s Global University Leaders Forum, Peking University also held online meetings with University of Tokyo, University of Michigan, Qatar University to discuss issues about online teaching, medical cooperation, etc.
Nie Biao pointed out that the MOST has been closely following the physical and living conditions of foreign experts living in China. He added that MOST encouraged international sci-tech cooperation in the prevention and control of COVID-19, which could be done remotely. Nie pledged that the Department of Foreign Expert Services will continue to do its utmost to provide necessary support and strive to bring convenience to foreign experts living in China.
During the talk, PKU foreign experts offered their insights. They agreed that all countries should enhance mutual trust and work together in order to address different challenges. They also believed that China should never cease to share anti-epidemic knowledge and experience to the rest of the world.