On the afternoon of March 25, Professor Bruno Briseghella and Professor Zhang Chao, Assistant Dean of the College of Civil Engineering, Fuzhou University, were jointly invited to Beijing Media Center. On behalf of the College, they held a thematic symposium and exchange session with the Chinese Association for International Cooperation in Science and Technology (CAICST). The symposium was attended by Yao Weike, Honorary President of CAICST and former Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), as well as Ma Linying, former Deputy Director-General of the MOST Department of International Cooperation and former Consul with the rank of Counsellor at the Chinese Consulate General in Houston. During the session, the two sides held in-depth discussions on core topics including international scientific and technological cooperation and the internationalization of academic discipline development, with a view to jointly expanding cooperation space and seeking opportunities for common development.

During the discussion, relevant officials of the Association elaborated on its core business operations. They highlighted the Association's official background as a joint initiative initiated by five major institutions: the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). Primarily, it undertakes exchange activities such as domestic and international academic docking, talent exchanges, and scientific and technological cooperation. As such, it serves as an important platform for international scientific and technological cooperation in China.

Professor Bruno Briseghella and Professor Zhang Chao jointly represented the College. They delivered a comprehensive presentation of the College’s achievements in recent years, focusing on internationalized school running, introduction of overseas high-end talents, cross-border exchanges between faculty and students, and international scientific research cooperation. They showcased the solid outcomes of the College’s commitment to open-door education and the disciplinary internationalization development. Drawing on his years of teaching and research experience in China, Professor Bruno Briseghella shared his personal insights on promoting exchange and integration between Chinese and foreign civil engineering disciplines. He expressed his firm determination to rely on high-end platforms to deepen international cooperation.

Both sides agreed to continue strengthening regularized communication and actively promote bilateral exchange and mutual visits. This forum has built a pragmatic and efficient bridge for cooperation, further expanded the College’s channels for international exchange and cooperation, and laid a solid foundation for the high-quality international development of the College’s disciplines.