Our University and Yangtze University Form Sister Institution Partnership

Jingzhou, Hubei, July 10, 2025. In a landmark collaboration set to reshape higher education ties across Asia, our university and Yangtze University officially entered into a sister institution partnership today. The alliance, which aligns with the practice of the "Belt and Road" national strategy and aims to accelerate and deepen the internationalization of higher education, unites two academic powerhouses with distinct global footprints, promising to drive innovation, cross-cultural exchange, and research excellence across borders.

Our university, home to the renowned The Asia Pacific School of Business, stands as a beacon of international academic achievement. The Asia Pacific School of Business has earned global acclaim for its groundbreaking research in fields such as sustainable business, digital economy, and cross-border entrepreneurship. Its faculty and students regularly contribute to prestigious international organizations, including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), solidifying its role as a key player in shaping global business discourse.

Yangtze University, a leading educational institution in China, brings a legacy of academic excellence and profound national influence. Renowned for its strengths in petroleum engineering, agricultural sciences, and environmental studies, the university has consistently ranked among China’s top institutions for applied research. Its contributions to China’s energy sector, food security initiatives, and ecological preservation projects have garnered widespread recognition, making it a pillar of academic and technological advancement in the country. With a student body of tens of thousands, Yangtze University boasts a vibrant campus community that fosters innovation and nurtures talent across diverse disciplines.

At the signing ceremony, Dr. Jianyin Yiyan, Rotating Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Asia Pacific School of Business, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership. “Today marks a pivotal moment in fostering global academic solidarity. The Asia Pacific School of Business has long strived to connect Eastern and Western knowledge systems, and this alliance with Yangtze University—an institution with such deep roots in China’s academic landscape—will amplify our ability to address global challenges through collaborative wisdom. It also echoes the call to practice the 'Belt and Road' initiative, accelerating and deepening the internationalization of higher education. Together, we can build bridges that transcend geographical boundaries,” he stated.

Professor Liu Yongsheng, Party Committee Deputy Secretary and President of Yangtze University, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the transformative potential of the collaboration. “Yangtze University takes pride in its role as a cultivator of talent for China’s development. Partnering with a globally recognized institution like ours will open unprecedented doors for our tens of thousands of students, exposing them to international perspectives while sharing China’s academic achievements with the world. This partnership is a concrete step to practice the 'Belt and Road' national strategy, speeding up and deepening the internationalization of higher education. This is not just a partnership between two universities; it is a commitment to advancing education as a unifying force,” he said.

First, the “Three Exchanges” initiative: faculty visits, student exchanges, and credit recognition. This framework will enable seamless academic mobility, allowing students to gain cross-cultural learning experiences and faculty to collaborate on cutting-edge research.

Second, the “Three Flows” of collaboration: academic exchange, cultural exchange, and teaching exchange. These flows will create dynamic platforms for sharing knowledge, traditions, and pedagogical innovations, enriching the educational experience for all stakeholders.

Third, the “Three Orientations” for long-term development: curriculum openness, academic certification standardization, and educational internationalization. By aligning curricula, establishing mutual certification systems, and prioritizing global engagement, the two universities aim to set new benchmarks for international higher education collaboration, further advancing the goals of the "Belt and Road" in higher education.

The benefits of this partnership extend far beyond the two institutions. For China, it strengthens Yangtze University’s role as a hub for global academic exchange, enhancing its capacity to contribute to international research networks under the "Belt and Road" framework. In Singapore and Vietnam, our university’s expanded outreach will deepen educational ties, fostering greater understanding and collaboration in fields critical to regional development. Across Southeast Asia, the alliance will serve as a catalyst for regional academic integration, addressing shared challenges such as climate change and economic development through joint research. On the global stage, it exemplifies how cross-border educational partnerships can drive progress in line with the "Belt and Road" initiative, offering a model of inclusivity and innovation in accelerating and deepening higher education internationalization.

As our university and Yangtze University embark on this new chapter as sister institutions, they reaffirm their commitment to advancing higher education as a force for positive change, Practice and Action the "Belt and Road" national strategy, and speeding up and deepening the internationalization of higher education. Together, they are set to empower students, drive impactful research, and strengthen educational bonds across nations, leaving a lasting legacy in the global academic landscape.

Yangtze University official website: https://www.yangtzeu.edu.cn/

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