On the morning of February 28th, the delegation from the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science of Australia, led by Kris Browne, the manager of International Science Collaboration and Joanna Bunting, the Counsellor for Industry, Innovation and Science from the Australian Embassy in Beijing, visited Soochow University. Professor Lu Jianmei, the Vice President and Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee in Soochow University met with the delegation at the meeting center of the Laura Haygood Memorial. Attendees of the very meeting include Academician Chen Xiaodong and Professor Xiao Jie from the School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering of the CollegeofChemistry,ChemicalEngineeringandMaterialScience, Deputy Director Wu Duo of the College of Chemistry,  ChemicalEngineering and Material Science, Director Qian Fuliang from the Office of Science and Technology of the Institute of Science and Technology, and Director Zhang Qiao from the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange. 

Deputy Secretary Lu Jianmei extended a cordial welcome to the Mr. Browne and the delegation, and she also made a brief introduction to the visitors about Soochow University. She expressed that as a national key comprehensive university run by the authorities at the provincial level, Soochow University has made many great achievements in talent cultivation, scientific researches and related areas in recent years, and maintained partnership with over 190 universities and institutes in the world. Given the research team led by Academician Chen Xiaodong of the College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Material Science has already started an outstanding and promising cooperation with the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science of Australia, Professor Lu also expected that the Mr. Browne’s visit would further promote the cooperation and exchange of both sides in industry, innovation and science.    


After expressing his gratitude to the cordial welcome of Deputy Secretary Lu Jianmei, Mr. Browne remarked that the long history of Soochow University has left a deep impression on him. He also introduced about the focal points and future prospects of the cooperation between Australia and China. He pointed out that there are a bunch of similarities between the scientific policies enacted by the governments of both countries. The enactment of policies like “Made in China 2025” is definitely beneficial for setting the priorities for the cooperation of both sides, and for the collaboration between the universities in China and Australia. He hoped that the department could started some practical cooperation with Soochow University in the exchange between researches and joint research programs.