Publisher: Office of International Exchange and Cooperation

Date: November 3, 2025

Editor: Chen Guoqiong

From October 22 to 26, 2025, a delegation led by Zhang Hong, Vice President of Jinan University, visited Belgium and Germany to strengthen research and educational collaboration with partner institutions. The delegation visited the University of Leuven, the University of Liège, the Free University of Brussels (VUB), the Wilhelm Clauditz Institute in Germany, and the Association of Chinese Medical Practitioners in Germany.

On October 22, the delegation was received at the University of Leuven by Isabelle Huys, Vice President for Research, and representatives from the Faculty of Medicine. Ranked 60th in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, the University of Leuven is internationally recognized for its strength in biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences. Both sides reviewed the outcomes of their joint doctoral training programs and explored further collaboration in clinical pharmacy and radiopharmaceutical research, as well as dual training models for talent development. The delegation toured the university's Radiopharmaceutical Research Centre, where researchers from both institutions discussed potential cooperation in isotope-based therapeutics. Vice President Zhang also met with Jinan University doctoral candidates currently studying at Leuven.

On October 23, the delegation visited the University of Liège, founded in 1817 and renowned for its research in pharmaceutical sciences and engineering. Since the signing of a cooperation agreement in 2013, the two universities have jointly trained over 30 postgraduate students in pharmaceutical analysis. During the meeting with Michel Moutschen, Vice President for Research, both sides reflected on their partnership and discussed plans to expand joint training into clinical pharmacy, business, and engineering. The delegation also paid a visit to Jacques Crommen, Honorary Professor of Jinan University and member of the Royal Academy of Belgium, and toured his laboratory to lay the groundwork for future research projects.

Later the same day, the delegation held talks with representatives from the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy at the Free University of Brussels (VUB). Following the formal signing of an institutional agreement in 2025, the two sides discussed the development of joint postgraduate programs in clinical medicine and pharmacy, and reached a preliminary agreement on designing short-term training courses for medical practitioners. They also explored collaboration in talent development in optoelectronics and information technology, as well as programs for training professionals for international organizations.

On October 24, the delegation visited the Wilhelm Clauditz Institute in Germany, where they met with Alexandra Schiewec, Head of the Department for Energy-Efficient Buildings and Indoor Pollution Control, and toured its simulation laboratories. Jinan University’s School of Environment and Climate and the institute have already established cooperation in indoor atmospheric chemistry. The two sides agreed to further collaborate in areas including indoor organic pollution monitoring, air quality standards, healthy building technologies, and high-level talent exchange.

The delegation also met with representatives of the Association of Chinese Medical Practitioners in Germany. The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University and the Association discussed the establishment of a partnership to promote Sino-German medical cooperation and build a platform for professional exchange.

The delegation included Zheng Xiaofei, President of the First Affiliated Hospital; Jiang Zhengjin, Vice Dean of the College of Pharmacy; Wang Boguang, Deputy Director of the Panyu Campus Administrative Committee; and Wang Yu, Director of the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation.

(Image: The delegation visits the Radiopharmaceutical Research Centre at the University of Leuven)