To thoroughly implement the national strategy of opening up education to the outside world, explore new patterns for international exchange and cooperation in higher education and technical innovation and deepen global industry-university-research cooperation, Yang Jianxin, Secretary of the Party Committee of Jiangsu University of Science and Technology (JUST), led a delegation to visit relevant universities in Finland and Macao from September 20 to September 27, 2025, carrying out special presentations for talent recruitment. This marks JUST’s first-ever exchange and cooperation with the universities in Finland and Macao, injecting a new momentum into its internationalized education.

The delegation’s first stop in Finland was South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (XAMK), where they had in-depth discussions with Olli-Pekka Brunila (Vice President for Education of XAMK) and Greg (Deputy Director of the International Office of XAMK). The two sides discussed potential cooperation in joint training, dual-degree programs, short-term exchange visits of faculty and students, and cooperation of research projects. In the presence of leaders from both sides, the international offices of the two universities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), symbolizing the opening of a new chapter for JUST’s international cooperation in Finland. The delegation also visited maritime simulation center, digital classrooms, multifunctional medical training center, and laboratories at XAMK Kotka Campus.

At Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (HHUAS), the delegation met with Jouni (Vice President of HHUAS) and Pasi (Director of the International Office of HHUAS) to discuss such topics as “integration of industry and education”, “high-level faculty development”, and “international course development”. Both sides agreed to establish a regular exchange mechanism to advance the implementation of short-term student exchange program and joint faculty training program.

Aalto University is a top multidisciplinary university in Northern Europe, holding an internationally leading position in the fields of engineering, technology, design, and business management, and sharing a high degree of academic alignment with JUST in naval architecture and ocean engineering, intelligent manufacturing, new materials, and artificial intelligence. During his meeting with Jyri Hämäläinen (Vice President of Aalto University) and Kari Tammi (Dean of the School of Engineering, Aalto University), Yang Jianxin stated that Aalto University has extensive experience in innovation education and transformation of scientific research achievements. JUST was willingness to establish a long-term and stable partnership with Aalto University to promote deep integration between technology and culture.

During the visit to Aalto University, the delegation successfully held a special overseas recruitment fair for high-level talents, attracting dozens of outstanding young professionals from Aalto University, University of Helsinki and other institutions. The delegation gave a detailed introduction to JUST’s development history, disciplinary advantages, research platforms, talent benefits and career development support system, and answered the questions raised by applicants. At the recruitment fair, Mr. Lu Liangliang and his wife, who graduated in 2008 from the School of Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering of JUST and are currently working at Aalto University, made a special visit to meet their former teachers.“During the years of hard working abroad, we often recall the youthful days we spent at JUST. Today, returning as alumni and job seekers, we do not only seek new career opportunities but also visit our teachers. The solid professional foundation we built during our study, JUST’sinternational perspective, and the teachers’ thoughtful care have all laid a strong groundwork for us to step onto the global stage.” Several young scholars, who are currently pursuing doctoral degrees at Aalto University, said, “JUST has a profound heritage in the field of naval architecture and ocean engineering, distinctive geographical advantages, and strong development momentum. It is an ideal choice for us to return to China for career development.”

During the stay in Finland, the delegation also paid a special visit to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Finland, where they were warmly welcomed by Li Baorong (Counsellor for Cultural and Educational Affairs) and Sun Hongzhi (First Secretary for Educational Affairs). Secretary Yang Jianxin reported on JUST’s cooperation with the universities in Finland, and sought opinions and suggestions. Counsellor Li Baorong highly commended JUST for its contributions to advancing Sino-Finnish educational cooperation, pointing out that local universities are a key force in promoting educational openness. He hoped that JUST could continue leveraging its geographical and disciplinary advantages to establish a new model for China-Europe education cooperation. Yang Jianxin expressed that JUST would actively respond to the Belt and Road Initiative and rely on its existing partnerships to further expand cooperation with the universities of Northern Europe in emerging fields such as green energy, intelligent ships, and digital culture and share “the stories of JUST” as a model for Chinese higher education.

As an important higher education hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, City University of Macau (City U) and Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) have accumulated abundant experience in international education, cross-cultural studies, and smart cities. At City U, the delegation had in-depth discussions with Zhou Wanlei (Vice President of City U), Wu Cheng (Director of Global Affairs, City U), and Professor Ying Zuobin (Program Director of the School of Data Science, City U),focusing on the cooperation agreement signed during City U’s visit to JUST in May 2025. The discussions explored the ways to further deepen project cooperation and included exchanges on the topics such as “interdisciplinary integration of emerging engineering disciplines with humanities and social sciences”, and “joint postgraduate training mechanism”.

At MUST, the delegation met with Joseph Hun-wei Lee (President of MUST), Wang Ting (Director of University International College, MUST), Feng Junguo (Administrative Officer of School of Graduate Studies, MUST), and Lu Xiaoping (Director of Faculty of Innovation Engineering, MUST). The two sides signed a cooperation agreement and reached consensus on promoting student exchange programs, co-developing courses, and joint application for national research projects, serving the national strategy of scientific and technical self-reliance. Afterwards, the delegation toured the Special Exhibition of “Global Mapping of Macao” at MUST and the State Key Laboratory of Mechanism and Quality of Chinese Medicine.

The visit yielded fruitful results, and laid a solid foundation for JUST’s international development under the 15^th Five-Year Plan. “Education knows no boundaries, and cooperation wins the future.” Yang Jianxin remarked. “This visit has not only deepened our friendship with the universities in Northern Europe and Macao but also broadened our global vision and strengthened our confidence in open education. Based on this visit, we will continue to deepen international exchanges and foster an all-dimensional, multi-tiered and wide-ranging framework for global cooperation.”

In the future, we will uphold the principle of “openness, cooperation, and mutual benefits”, actively integrate into the global education network, continuously enhance our internationalized education, and strive unremittingly towards the goal of building JUST into a high-level university of national excellence and international influence.

The representatives from theOffice of the Party Committee, the International Office, the Office for Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs, School of Computer Science, and School of Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering accompanied the delegation during the visit.