The cooperation between Széchenyi István University and Jiaxing University in China may be further expanded in the future, which may also include the local government and corporate spheres, said a delegation from the Chinese metropolis during a visit to the Győr-based institution.

One of the priorities of Széchenyi István University's internationalisation activities - in line with Hungarian economic policy - is to strengthen relations with China. In this spirit, the institution established a partnership with Jiaxing University in 2021, with which it has since launched a double degree in civil engineering. Students graduating will receive diplomas from both institutions. In addition, two Chinese visiting professors have already taught in Győr recently.

A delegation from Széchenyi University visited the eastern Chinese city of about one and a half million inhabitants twice this year, and the Chinese delegation returned the visits between 13-16 December. The delegation included not only representatives of the local university, but also of the Jiaxing Municipal People's Congress and two major companies, Huayou Cobalt and Bamo Technology Hungary Kft., a member of the Huayou Group. The latter company is building a cathode factory for electric vehicle production in Ács, in Komárom-Esztergom County.

Chinese guests and Hungarian hosts on the campus of Széchenyi István University in Győr (Photo: András Adorján)

Dr Eszter Lukács, Vice President for International Affairs and Strategic Relations of Széchenyi University, told the guests that, like Jiaxing University, their institution is relatively young and dynamically developing.

She highlighted its favourable geographical location - close to three European capitals, Budapest, Vienna and Bratislava - and the fact that about 1,000 of its 14,000 students are international students from 77 countries around the world, studying in one of 42 English-language courses. She added that Széchenyi University is now listed in six world rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) and Times Higher Education (THE), in four of which debuted this year.

Dr. Eszter Lukács also explained that they have very close relations with companies, including their strategic partner Audi Hungaria, and Huawei. The Vice President underlined that they would like to strengthen their cooperation with other Chinese companies. It was also mentioned that the partnership with companies and the education and research of state-of-the-art technologies will be strengthened by the already inaugurated Innovation Parks in Győr and Zalaegerszeg, the health technology campus in Győr, the Smart Farm in Mosonmagyaróvár, which was inaugurated this year, and the ZalaZone automotive test track, which is part of the Széchenyi University Group.

On behalf of the Chinese partners, Wang Maqing, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Jiaxing Municipal People's Congress, expressed his pleasure to be present as a friend on the beautiful Győr campus. He stressed that they would like to see the cooperation between the two universities expand to the city and enterprise level. Regarding Jiaxing University, he said that the aim is to become a world-class higher education institution with a strong position in applied sciences.

Zhang Qi, Executive Vice President of Jiaxing University, said: the foundations for cooperation are strong with the successful launch of double degree programme and visiting professors, so there is every hope for further significant results. She added that the partnership could in the future also cover information and communication technology, automotive and e-mobility.

As part of their programme, the Chinese guests were introduced to the advanced infrastructure of Széchenyi István University, including the Győr Innovation Park, which was inaugurated this autumn. The photo was taken on the top floor of the building (Photo: András Adorján)

Széchenyi István University greeted the Chinese guests in their mother tongue projected on the screen of the Győr Innovation Park building (Photo: András Adorján)