On March 10, 2025, Karl Dearn, Dean of School of Engineering at the University of Birmingham (UoB), along with XU Hongming, director of Birmingham CASE Automotive Research and Education Centre, and WU Mengda, chairman of UoB Chinese Students and Scholars Association, visited Hefei University of Technology (HFUT) to discuss international exchange, collaboration, and joint educational programs. ZHANG Sihong, director of the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation at HFUT, and deputy director WANG Huili attended the meeting, along with WANG Jingfeng, Dean of College of Civil Engineering, Vice Dean ZHANG Zhenhua, as well as leaders and faculty representatives from other schools. The meeting was chaired by Director ZHANG Sihong.

Director ZHANG Sihong extended a warm welcome to Dean Karl Dearn and provided a detailed introduction to the history, disciplinary development, and talent cultivation of HFUT. Dean WANG Jingfeng reviewed the long-standing exchange and collaboration between College of Civil Engineering at HFUT and School of Engineering at the UoB. Dean Karl Dearn then introduced the development of School of Engineering at the UoB and its international collaborative education programs.

Following this, both parties engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as academic exchange, research collaboration, and Sino-foreign joint education programs, exploring multiple models for joint undergraduate and graduate training programs. Through comprehensive discussions, both sides planned to launch a “2+2” joint training program for undergraduate students and further strengthen short-term student exchange programs, faculty visits, and collaborative research.

On March 11, Dean Karl Dearn and his delegation visited the Anhui Key Laboratory of Civil Engineering Structures and Materials at College of Civil Engineering, accompanied by Vice Dean GAO Peng and faculty representatives. Dean Karl Dearn highly praised the laboratory’s advanced equipment, innovative achievements, and the professionalism of the research team. He also expressed keen interest in fostering closer collaboration in areas such as intelligent construction and low-carbon building.

This exchange has laid a solid foundation for future collaboration between the two institutions and provided new opportunities for deeper integration in international scientific research and education. Both parties agreed to maintain close communication and work together to elevate their cooperation to a higher level.