Kurt Allman, deputy vice-chancellor at Edge Hill University in the United Kingdom, led a delegation to Beijing International Studies University (BISU) on Sept 9.

BISU and Edge Hill University leaders exchange views in Beijing.

BISU Vice-President Zheng Chengjun welcomed Allman on his first visit to the university and briefed him on BISU's history and achievements.

Noting that both China and the UK possess rich cultural traditions and an open, modern outlook, Zheng said the two sides could learn from each other through exchanges. He also appreciated Edge Hill University's close cooperation with BISU in recent months in advancing a joint program in economics, and hoped that the two universities would explore more forms of collaboration, such as student exchanges and scholar visits.

Allman endorsed BISU's cooperation proposals and praised its achievements in international education.

He said people-to-people and educational exchanges are vital to bilateral relations, and that their innovative push to develop a joint program in economics would demonstrate their academic strengths to Europe and beyond while cultivating more globally competitive talent for the international community.

He pledged continued support for preparation for the joint program, and offered to deliver specialized lectures for BISU students in person and encourage British students to study at BISU.

Kurt Allman gives a lecture to BISU faculty and students.    

During his visit, Allman and his delegation toured BISU's history museum and faculty apartments, learning about BISU's achievements in cultivating interdisciplinary talent, faculty development and academic research, international cooperation, and services for teachers and students.

The delegation also held discussions with faculty and students at BISU's School of Economics, where Allman delivered a lecture titled Organizational Strategic Management: From Vision to Action.