President of Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU), Prof. Song Gao, led a delegation to Italy and French from Nov 17 to Nov 24.

The delegation visited Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (UCSC), Sapienza University of Rome, Politecnico di Milano, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in France. They also participated in the 13th Board Meeting of IFCEN, SYSU. The goal of the visit is to promote multi-disciplinary cooperation between SYSU and high-level universities in Italy and France, as well as to construct a comprehensive and multi-tiered global partner network.

On Nov 18, Prof. Song Gao and his delegation visited UCSC and met with Dr. Edilio Mazzoleni, Assistant Rector for International Engagement and Innovation Education. The two parties signed the Memorandum of Understanding, laying a solid foundation for deepening collaboration between the two universities. In the future, they will promote practical cooperation in fields of scientific research as well as student and scholar exchanges.

UCSC and SYSU sign the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation.

The delegation then visited Sapienza University of Rome and met with the University’s Vice Rector Giuseppe Ciccarone.

The two universities respectively introduced their latest developments in discipline construction, talent cultivation and international cooperation, and discussed future collaboration in multiple areas such as medicine, information engineering, historical archaeology and so on, aiming to deepen the partnership between the two parties.

Prof. Song Gao (right) and his delegation visit Sapienza University of Rome.

The delegation also visited Politecnico di Milano, where they met with Prof. Giuliano NOCI, Deputy Rector for Chinese Cooperation. The two parties reached important consensus on cooperation in areas such as nuclear engineering and electronic information, jointly advancing scientific and technological innovation.

Prof. Song Gao and his delegation visit Politecnico di Milano.

In Paris, the delegation visited UNESCO. On behalf of SYSU, Prof. Song Gao signed the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation with UNESCO. Firmin Edouard Matoko, Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations, expressed his expectations for further cooperation and closer partnership between the two institutions.

SYSU and UNESCO sign the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation.

During the visit in France, Prof. Song Gao attended the 13th Board meeting of IFCEN and signed Phase IV Cooperation Agreement (2025-2028). He said that the two sides should broaden and deepen cooperation in education and scientific research, and hoped to work more closely with French partners, jointly advancing talent cultivation and scientific research at IFCEN.

Prof. Song Gao (second from left) signs Phase IV Cooperation Agreement (2025-2028) with IFCEN.

In Paris, Prof. Song Gao and the delegation visited the Chinese Embassy in France. Chinese ambassador to France, Mr. Shaye Lu provided an overview of higher education development in France and said that he will continue to support cooperation and exchanges between SYSU and universities in France.

The delegation visits the Chinese Embassy in France.

During the visit, Prof. Song Gao also attended the Talent Networking Events held in Rome and Paris, at which he engaged in in-depth discussions with over 130 young scholars and expressed the invitation to join SYSU to pursue their future career and development.

Talent Networking Events are held in Rome and Paris.

Year 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy, as well as the 60th anniversary of China-France relations. With this series of visits, SYSU hopes to contribute to the enhancement of mutual learning and ‌cultural exchanges with Italy and France.