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Professor Max Lu, an award-winning academic, urged UK universities to forge new links with Asia in order to strengthen their international reputation.
Professor Lu AO DL, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey, made the call during his talk, entitled: The Future of the Research Silk Road – A Perspective on Collaborative Research with Asia, at the Vice-Chancellor's Distinguished Lecture at Heriot-Watt University.
The UK's long-standing excellence and capacity in world-leading science and innovation very much appeal to globally-minded industries and universities in China, so there could not be a more opportune time to develop fruitful collaborations and partnerships with China.
In the lecture, held on Tuesday, February 20th at Heriot-Watt's Edinburgh Campus, Professor Lu encouraged universities and the science sector to proactively engage with Chinese institutions, companies and venture funds. This, he argues, will help strengthen the UK's position as a global leader in research and higher education.
Professor Lu said: “In the wake of the successful UK trade mission to China led by PM Theresa May, there is heightened interest in the university and research sector to work more closely with Chinese institutions. The UK's long-standing excellence and capacity in world-leading science and innovation very much appeal to globally-minded industries and universities in China, so there could not be a more opportune time to develop fruitful collaborations and partnerships with China.”
Heriot-Watt has an established reputation for its global outlook with more than a third of students studying in Scotland from outside the UK. It has established strong relationships in China with the opening of the first in-country office in 2008, which has helped attract talented students, as well as campuses in Malaysia and Dubai. This global footprint has helped earn Heriot-Watt the first ever International University of the Year Award by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide.
Professor Richard A. Williams, Vice-Chancellor and Principal at Heriot-Watt University, added: “It is a great privilege to have someone of Professor's Lu's renowned visit Heriot-Watt University to give his expert insight on such a critical economic opportunity.
“At Heriot-Watt we embrace internationalism, which sits at the heart of everything we do.
“For example we established the Scottish Confucius Institute for Business and Communication with the aim of increasing engagement between local and Chinese businesses as well as offer first-class learning.
“Last year, I was delighted to visit India to deepen existing relationships and build new partnerships with the higher education sector and key industry.
“Scotland's universities are renowned internationally for their excellence in education, world-leading research and their truly supportive environments. I believe it is my role to encourage collaborative partnerships on a global scale with fellow academics, governments and industry to further Heriot-Watt's reputation as a world-leading research institution.”
Professor Lu holds many prominent positions including on the UK Government's Council for Science and Technology, UK Research and Innovation, and Universities UK. A pre-eminent chemical engineer and nanotechnologist, Professor Lu is one of only 150 double highly cited academics in the world. He has published over 500 peer-reviewed articles in top journals, attracting more than 49,000 citations.
A selection of Heriot-Watt students enjoyed a private session with Professor Lu met before his lecture.
