Nanjing University Secretary Tan Tianniu Leads Delegation to Central Asia for Belt and Road Initiative Cooperation

In order to implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of China and Uzbekistan and China and Kazakhstan, expand the international cooperation network, and promote scientific and educational cooperation and cultural exchanges with countries along the “Belt and Road”, Nanjing University Party Secretary and Chinese Academy of Sciences Academician Tan Tianniu led a delegation to visit Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan from July 15 to 19, visiting a total of ten educational and research institutions in the two countries to conduct in-depth discussions on strengthening scientific and educational cooperation and cultural exchanges between Nanjing University and Central Asia. This is the first time that our university leaders have led a delegation to visit Central Asian countries.

The delegation visited the National University of Uzbekistan, Nazarbayev University of Kazakhstan, National Eurasian University, National University of Kazakhstan and other universities and scientific research institutions such as the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan, promoting all-round cooperation with universities and scientific research institutions in the two countries in scientific research, talent training, social services and other fields, pragmatically expanding the internationalization of Nanjing University’s educational resources, and achieving fruitful results. During the visit, Tan Tianniu and his delegation also paid a special visit to Yu Jun, Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of Uzbekistan, Zhang Xiao, Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Jiang Wei, Chinese Consul General in Almaty.

On the morning of July 15, the delegation first visited the National University of Uzbekistan. The university is the top comprehensive university in Uzbekistan and the founder of many higher education institutions in Uzbekistan. During the talks, the delegation gave a detailed introduction to the latest achievements of Nanjing University in scientific research innovation, international cooperation and talent training in recent years. Ergashov Yokob Suvonovich, Vice President of the National University of Uzbekistan in charge of scientific research and innovation, highly appreciated the achievements of Nanjing University and expressed his willingness to carry out educational and scientific research cooperation with Nanjing University in the fields of physics, chemistry, history and so on. The two sides had an in-depth discussion on the future cooperation framework and reached a preliminary consensus on signing a memorandum of cooperation. Both sides expressed that they will continue to strengthen communication and jointly promote the enhancement of the influence of the two universities in the field of global education.

On the afternoon of the 15th, Tan Tianniu and his delegation visited Tashkent State Technical University. Turabdjanov Sadritdin Maxamatdinovic, president of Tashkent State Technical University, warmly welcomed the Nanjing University delegation and introduced the long history of Tashkent State Technical University and the latest progress in technological innovation, academic research and international cooperation. The Nanjing University delegation introduced the development advantages and latest achievements in the fields of electronic engineering, automation, information technology, etc. in recent years. Oripjon Olimovich Zaripov, vice president of academic affairs of Tashkent State Technical University, said that he looks forward to further promoting cutting-edge technology research and application through cooperation with Nanjing University, and making greater contributions to the scientific and technological innovation and economic development of the two countries. The two sides had in-depth discussions on student exchanges, teacher visits, joint scientific research, academic conferences and scientific research technology transfer and reached a number of consensuses.

On the afternoon of the 15th, Tan Tianniu and his delegation also visited the Achievement Transformation Base of the Central Asian Drug Research and Development Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The delegation was warmly received by the center’s researcher Ailaiti Suritan, associate researcher Zhao Bo, Adilijiang Kawul and others. Zhao Bo gave a detailed introduction to the background of the establishment of the base, its main research directions and the scientific research achievements it has achieved so far. Tan Tianniu highly appreciated the achievements made by the Central Asian Drug Research and Development Center in the field of drug research and development, and discussed the cooperation between the two sides in the planting and processing of Chinese medicinal materials, clinical research of drugs, and new drug development. Afterwards, Tan Tianniu and his delegation visited the center’s laboratory, planting base and production workshop, learned about each link of drug research and development and production in detail, and had a cordial conversation with the R&D personnel. Tan Tianniu was impressed by the center’s advanced scientific research equipment and standardized management system. He expressed the hope that through cooperation with the center, they could jointly promote the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine and make positive contributions to global health.

On the morning of July 16, the delegation visited Tashkent University of Information Technology. The university is the largest telecommunications and information professional institution in Central Asia and the first information technology university in Uzbekistan. Vice President Sultanov Djamshid Bakhodirovich introduced the university’s outstanding achievements in the field of information and communication technology and its cooperation with Chinese universities to Tan Tianniu and his delegation, focusing on the advantageous disciplines such as computer science, earth and planetary science, energy, mathematics, physics and astronomy. Afterwards, Sultanov led the delegation to visit relevant laboratories and teaching facilities. Tan Tianniu fully affirmed the achievements of Tashkent University of Information Technology in the field of information and communication technology, and shared the research progress of Nanjing University in the fields of information technology, artificial intelligence and big data. Tan Tianniu expressed the hope that through further cooperation between the two sides in information and communication technology, scientific research innovation and talent training, positive contributions will be made to the scientific and technological innovation and economic and social development of China and Uzbekistan.

On the morning of July 17, the delegation visited Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan. The university was founded at the initiative of former Kazakh President Nazarbayev and is the first autonomous university in Kazakhstan. In 2013, General Secretary Xi Jinping first proposed the initiative of jointly building the “Silk Road Economic Belt” here. During the visit, Tan Tianniu and his delegation were warmly welcomed by Ilesanmi Adesida, then Executive President and Provost of Nazarbayev University, and teachers and students. The delegation visited some special laboratories and scientific research facilities. Tan Tianniu appreciated the advanced equipment and scientific research environment of Nazarbayev University, and focused on discussing with the other delegation the prospects for cooperation between the two universities in disciplines such as engineering technology, information science, and energy resources. Tan Tianniu said that Nanjing University attaches great importance to international cooperation under the “Belt and Road” initiative. Nazarbayev University’s outstanding performance and international reputation in many fields are admirable. Nanjing University hopes to strengthen ties with Nazarbayev University and jointly cultivate high-quality talents with international vision and innovation capabilities to contribute to the economic and social development of China and Kazakhstan.

On the afternoon of the 17th, the delegation visited the Kazakh National Eurasian University. The university is one of the top universities in Kazakhstan and established a Confucius Institute in December 2006. Beisenbai Ardak Bakytovich, Vice President of the National Eurasian University, and Bekmanova Gulmira Tyleuberdievna, Vice President, warmly welcomed the visit of the Nanjing University delegation and introduced the university’s leading advantages and latest achievements in the fields of literature, education, language, history and environmental science. Beisenbai said that the National Eurasian University attaches great importance to cooperation with Nanjing University and hopes to promote close cooperation between the two universities in the fields of literature, education, language, history and environmental science through the joint efforts of both sides. Tan Tianniu and his delegation also visited the school history museum and learned about the university’s work in promoting Chinese education and promoting cultural exchanges between China and Kazakhstan. Tan Tianniu highly praised the work of the Chinese Academy of the university in promoting Chinese, and hoped to further strengthen the cooperation between the two universities in teacher-student exchanges, scientific research cooperation, cultural exchanges, etc., and jointly promote the internationalization process of the two universities.

On the afternoon of the 18th, the delegation visited the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan. Jumadildayev Askar, Vice President of the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan, warmly welcomed the visit of the Nanjing University delegation and introduced the latest progress of the Kazakh Academy of Sciences in scientific research and technological development. Mukhtarova Anar, Director of the Center for Scientific and Technological Cooperation, Shakerbayeva Botagoz, Chief Academic Officer, and Zhumabayev Nurdaulet, Chief Academic Officer of the Center for Life and Health Sciences, shared their experiences in promoting international scientific research cooperation and academic exchanges. Tan Tianniu gave a detailed introduction to the latest achievements of our university in scientific research, technological innovation and international cooperation. He emphasized that Nanjing University attaches great importance to cooperation with the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan in scientific research, technological cooperation, educational exchanges and talent training, and hopes to jointly enhance the scientific research strength and international influence of both sides through exchanges and interactions. Subsequently, the two sides conducted in-depth discussions on future cooperation directions and specific projects and reached a number of consensuses.

On the morning of July 19, the delegation visited Kazakh National University (also known as Ali Farabi University). Duisenov Yerkin, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and First Vice President of the University, welcomed the delegation and introduced the university’s long history, disciplinary advantages and internationalization strategy. During the talks, Tan Tianniu introduced the latest progress of our university in international cooperation, scientific research innovation and talent training, and expressed his intention to further strengthen cooperation with Kazakh National University. The two sides discussed the prospects for cooperation in engineering technology, information technology and other fields, and reached a number of consensuses on joint scientific research projects, teacher and student visits, academic cooperation and cultural exchanges. This visit deepened the cooperative relationship between our university and Kazakh National University, and laid a solid foundation for future cooperation between the two sides in education, scientific research and cultural exchanges.

On the morning of the 19th, Tan Tianniu and his delegation also visited the Northwestern Polytechnical University Kazakhstan Branch. Zhang Qihui, a teacher from the International Affairs Office of Northwestern Polytechnical University, gave a detailed introduction to the school’s educational philosophy, teaching facilities and internationalization strategy, and led the delegation to visit the teaching laboratories and scientific research centers. Tan Tianniu said that the Northwestern Polytechnical University Kazakhstan Branch has provided valuable experience for China’s higher education to “go global” and has made positive contributions to promoting educational mutual learning and cultural exchanges between China and Kazakhstan. The two sides had in-depth exchanges on overseas education, teacher exchanges, student training, and course training.

On the afternoon of the 19th, the delegation visited Kazakh National University of Technology (also known as Satbayev University). President Meiram Begentayev held discussions with the delegation and expressed a strong desire to establish cooperation with Nanjing University. Tan Tianniu gave a detailed introduction to the latest progress of Nanjing University in international cooperation, scientific research innovation and talent training. The two sides exchanged existing achievements in information technology, automation, engineering technology and other fields, and looked forward to promoting the development of the two universities through a series of cooperation.