8 June 2012
Xiamen delegation to visit Dundee to discuss research collaborations
Photo opportunity: 11am-12pm on Saturday, June 9th at River Rooms, 9th floor Tower Building, University of Dundee. Delegates from Xiamen University will meet with Professor Downes and other representatives of Dundee.
The University of Dundee will this weekend welcome a delegation from a leading Chinese university for discussions about future collaborations between the two institutions.
Professor Zhu Chongshi, President of Xiamen University, heads the delegation coming to Dundee to explore the scope for developing a mutually beneficial relationship.
The representatives of Xiamen, one of the top international law schools in China, will be welcomed to the city by Professor Pete Downes, Principal of the University, and other senior figures from Dundee on Saturday, June 9th.
A party of academics and postgraduate students have been in Dundee for the past week for the first of two prestigious international seminars hosted by the Dundee UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science. After being joined by the top-level delegation on Saturday, they will be given a presentation and take part in meetings to identify possible areas of collaboration.
The link-up comes as a result of Professor Patricia Wouters, Director of the UNESCO Centre, joining the international water law programme at Xiamen as part of the Chinese Government's 'One-Thousand Talents' initiative - a programme aimed at enhancing China's research expertise.
Professor Downes said, "China is the world's fastest growing economic power and, alongside this, they are developing just as rapidly in the academic sphere. This means there are new opportunities for partnership emerging all the time.
"It is vital that we in Dundee are well placed to work together with our Chinese colleagues on a wide variety of projects. The fact that we carry out world-leading research in a number of areas and have displayed an innovative approach to interdisciplinary working makes us a very attractive partner for international institutions.
"We are delighted to be welcoming Professor Zhu Chongshi and the rest of the Xiamen delegation to Dundee. We have identified several areas of complimentary and mutual strengths, such as those offered by Professor Wouters and her team, and I hope we can establish formal agreements that lead to real benefits for both China and Scotland, and make a difference at the international level."
After the US, China now produces more articles in influential science and social science journals than any other country. Dundee's research strengths across a wide variety of disciplines mean the University is well placed to capitalise on the obvious potential for collaboration with Xiamen and other universities in the world's fastest emerging economic powerhouse.
More than 160 academics, policy makers and representatives of non-Governmental organisations from dozens of countries are descending upon Dundee for the two seminars, which are taking place this week and next.
The first, held from June 5th-8th, is a UN Watercourses Convention Global Initiative Symposium jointly organised with the World Wildlife Fund.
Entitled 'The 1997 UN Watercourses Convention: What Relevance in the 21st Century', it will see leading practitioners debate legislation aimed at easing contemporary pressures on the world's freshwater resources.
The '3rd Annual International Law and Transboundary Freshwaters Workshop' takes place from June 11th-14th. The purpose of the workshop will be to explore the functions of international law in protecting rivers, lakes and aquifers that cross national borders throughout the world.
Water law is a subject of increasing global significance as climate change, population growth and other environmental factors place more stress on natural resources in coming years.
Professor Wouters will make several trips to China over the next few years, with the appointment strengthening the relationship between Dundee and Xiamen and opening up the possibility for collaboration in other areas.
As well as helping to prevent future water conflicts in the Far East, she will promote research collaborations between the UK and China. The meeting between representatives of Dundee and Xiamen is the first step towards tangible benefits for both institutions, according to Professor Wouters.
"I am deeply honoured to be acting as an ambassador for Dundee and ensuring that Dundee's expertise is instrumental in meeting the water security and peace challenges facing China," she said.
"I am delighted to have the chance to develop partnerships that will benefit both Dundee and Xiamen. As well as encouraging more Chinese subjects to come to Dundee, I'm looking forward to identifying and implementing exciting collaborative research projects which will help to strengthen UK-China relations."
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277 |
