In a significant move to advance the national “Belt and Road” Initiative and the university’s internationalization goals, a delegation led by Professor Zhu Weihong, ECUST Vice President and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, recently conducted a productive visit to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The visit successfully fostered partnerships in talent cultivation, scientific innovation, and industry-academia-research integration.
Expanding Inter-University Exchanges and Building Collaborative Platforms
The delegation visited King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia. They held academic exchanges with scholars including Professor Lai Zhiping, Director of the KAUST Center of Excellence for Nanomaterials and Polymers, focusing on cutting-edge fields in chemical engineering. Both sides exchanged views on shared research interests in energy and materials. The delegation also toured the university’s chemical laboratories. KAUST, ranked first in the Times Higher Education (THE) 2025 Arab University Rankings, possesses significant strengths in frontier disciplines such as renewable energy, environmental science, and engineering.
ECUST Vice President Zhu Weihong engaging in academic exchange with Professor Lai Zhiping
Visiting KAUST chemical laboratories
During their visit to the University of Business and Technology (UBT) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the delegation held talks with university’s President Ghada Nasseif and Vice President Fahad Al-Dubaan. The parties reached cooperative intentions regarding talent cultivation, particularly in dual undergraduate degree programs in engineering and business, as well as faculty and student exchanges.
UBT President Ghada Nasseif warmly receiving the delegation
ECUST delegation at UBT, Jeddah
Enhancing University-Industry Collaboration and Upgrading Industry-Academia-Research Ties
While in Saudi Arabia, the delegation visited the global headquarters of the leading energy enterprise, Saudi Aramco. They held in-depth discussions with Mr. Abdullah Alhathloul, Head of the Academic Programs Department, among others. ECUST is currently the Chinese institution hosting the largest number of Aramco scholarship students. Both sides agreed to upgrade their cooperation to encompass personnel exchanges and joint scientific research. The delegation also visited the Aramco Innovation Lab, engaging in exchanges on relevant chemical technology applications.
Mr. Abdullah Alhathloul and Vice President Zhu Weihong exchanging gifts
Vice President Zhu Weihong introducing the university’s scientific research achievements
The delegation visiting the Aramco Innovation Lab in Saudi Arabia
The delegation also visited the Sinopec Middle East R&D Center, holding discussions with General Manager Ding Shidong and other representatives. As a crucial bridge for deepening energy cooperation between China and Middle Eastern countries, both parties agreed to establish regular technical exchanges, build an international student practice base, and jointly cultivate globalized chemical engineering talents.
Delegation at the Sinopec Middle East R&D Center
Vice President Zhu Weihong during the research visit at R&D Center
Strengthening Government Coordination and Linking Regional Development Opportunities
In Saudi Arabia, the delegation paid a visit to Chinese Consul General in Jeddah, Mr. Wang Qimin, who expressed strong support for ECUST’s expanding educational and scientific cooperation with Saudi partners. The delegation also engaged with various local sectors to explore cooperation potential in green energy, artificial intelligence, healthcare, and other fields.
Courtesy call to Mr. Wang Qimin, Chinese Consul General in Jeddah
The delegation exchanging views with representatives from various sectors in Saudi Arabia
During their stay in the UAE, the delegation visited the Scholarship Office, UAE Presidential Court, holding working talks with Director Mr. Juma Alremeithi and others. Both sides reached a consensus on deepening cooperation in talent cultivation. Leveraging the university’s disciplinary strengths, they plan to expand training scale and construct a distinctive cultivation pathway featuring “language application - professional competence - industrial practice” for Emirati students, providing robust talent support for deepening China-UAE strategic cooperation.
ECUST delegation visiting the Scholarship Office, UAE Presidential Court
Talks with the Scholarship Office, UAE Presidential Court
The delegation also visited the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), holding discussions with Mr. Mohamed AlHay AlHameli, Deputy Director of the Human Resources Department, among others. Both sides explored cooperation in technological innovation within higher education, agreeing to further expand collaboration in areas such as joint student training, academic research, and the commercialization of scientific and technological achievements.
Vice President Zhu Weihong and other delegates exchanging collaboration suggestions with ADIA
The delegation was accompanied by Prof. He Xuesong, Dean of the School of Social and Public Administration; Mr. Li Xiaopeng, Dean of the College of International Education; Mr. Liu Wenfeng, Deputy Director of the Office of Strategic Development and Planning; and Prof. Li Dawei, Vice Dean of the School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering.
