Representatives of Ningbo University of Technology (NBUT) visited the University of Rijeka on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, where they were welcomed by the Rector, Prof. Snježana Prijić Samaržija, Ph.D., together with several Vice-Rectors: Prof. Gordan Jelenić, Ph.D., Prof. Saša Zelenika, Ph.D., and Prof. Marta Žuvić, Ph.D.
The six-member Chinese delegation consisted of:
– Mr. Shao Qianjun, NBUT President,
– Mr. Wu Hao, Deputy Director of Cuibai Campus,
– Mr. Ye Renze, Director of the Student Affairs Office,
– Mr. Fang Yewen, Dean of the Scientific Research Office,
– Mr. Fu Haiwei, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management,
– Mr. Zhong Qiubo, Dean of the Academic Affairs Office.
As the esteemed guests expressed their interest in cooperation primarily with the Faculty of Economics and Business, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, and the Faculty of Informatics and Digital Technologies, the meeting was also attended by their official representatives, namely:
– Prof. Saša Drezgić, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Business,
– Prof. Lado Kranjčević, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Engineering,
– Assoc. Prof. Nino Krvavica, Ph.D., Vice-Dean for Projects and Collaboration, Faculty of Civil Engineering,
– Assist. Prof. Elvis Žic, Ph.D., Vice-Dean for Business Affairs, Faculty of Civil Engineering,
– Assist. Prof. Vanja Slavuj, Ph.D., Vice-Dean for Teaching and Student Affairs, Faculty of Informatics and Digital Technologies.
At the beginning of the meeting, Rector Prijić-Samaržija presented the University of Rijeka, emphasizing all the peculiarities of living, working, and studying in Rijeka and the “blue-green” region. Thanking the hosts for their warm welcome and hospitality, President Shao presented NBUT, the areas of interest and the most important partnerships with large Chinese companies, emphasizing how their university’s mission is to become the cradle of modern engineers.
NBUT was founded in 1983 as the first engineering-based higher learning institution in Ningbo, right in the wave of reform and opening up. As one of the four universities in China aided by the former Federal Republic of Germany, NBUT still nurtures very good relations with Germany. Hence, one of the most important forms of partnership is the Sino-German (or Sino-foreign) model (cooperation between Chinese and one or more foreign investors). Thanks to such a model, students have the opportunity to study in German, Chinese, and Japanese.
NBUT comprises 12 faculties and 2 research institutes, with disciplines of Engineering, Materials Science, and Chemistry listed in the world’s top 1% in the Essential Science Indicators Database (ESI). In response to local economic and social needs, NBUT’s study programs are centred around local pillar industries such as green petrochemicals, automobile manufacturing (Geely), digital industries (DJI), and major infrastructures like urban construction, smart transportation, and bridges.
The delegation visited the University of Rijeka to discuss concrete opportunities for cooperation in areas of mutual interest, with an emphasis on student/staff exchange, scientific research, and joint postgraduate (doctoral) study programs. During the discussion, the participants identified areas of common interest, with engineering, mechatronics, robotics, digital technologies, economics, and sustainable forms of energy being at the core of future discussions.
Since the cities of Ningbo and Rijeka signed the Cooperation Agreement back in 2011, thus becoming sister cities, President Shao and Rector Prijić-Samaržija agreed that signing a general MoU would be the next step in establishing more intensive cooperation between the universities. Looking optimistically into the future and various forms of cooperation, NBUT Delegation expressed their desire to meet again – in China.
