On the morning of April 2, Irish Ambassador to China Nicholas O'Brien and President of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Deborah McNamara led a delegation to visit our university. Party Committee Secretary Zhang Xiaohong received the guests at the Red Building Conference Center, where both parties engaged in in-depth discussions on China-Ireland higher education cooperation and the operations of the International College of Pharmaceutical Innovation. Vice President Wu Jiawei, Director of International Office Li Yanlight, Dean of the International College of Pharmaceutical Innovation Zhong Zhiyuan, Deputy Director of International Office and Deputy Dean of the International College of Pharmaceutical Innovation Zi Hong, and others attended the meeting.

Zhang Xiaohong welcomed the delegation and noted that with the strong support of both Chinese and Irish governments and the joint efforts of both institutions, the International College of Pharmaceutical Innovation has steadily developed its work and achieved notable results. The university will continue to fully support the college's development through policy guarantees, resource coordination, and innovative mechanisms, leveraging Suzhou's advantages as a biomedical industry hub to promote the college's comprehensive development. He expressed hope that the university would further expand exchanges and cooperation with Irish universities and research institutions, jointly advancing China-Ireland higher education cooperation to new heights.

Ambassador Nicholas O'Brien expressed gratitude for the university's hospitality. He pointed out that the International College of Pharmaceutical Innovation deeply integrates both institutions' long-standing foundations in medical education and research innovation. By establishing a transnational education platform and integrating quality resources, the college aims to cultivate leading talents for the global pharmaceutical industry and continuously inject innovative development momentum into the sector. The Irish government has consistently attached great importance to the college's development and will continue to support its growth, looking forward to the college providing more internationally-oriented innovative talents for the pharmaceutical industries of both countries.

President Deborah McNamara stated that as a milestone in China-Ireland higher education cooperation, the establishment of the International College of Pharmaceutical Innovation embodies the results of over a decade of deep collaboration between the two institutions. With the joint support of both governments and through persistent efforts, the college has gradually improved its facilities, completed enrollment targets as scheduled, and successfully launched its teaching programs. She pledged that the Royal College would work hand in hand with Soochow University to provide high-quality courses for students, helping them achieve success in academic research and career development, and make significant contributions to global pharmaceutical innovation.

Prior to the talks, the delegation toured our university's Tiancizhuang Campus and the university museum, gaining detailed insights into our university's educational history and development achievements.