A SISU delegation led by Gou Chaoli, deputy party secretary of Sichuan International Studies University, visited Manchester Metropolitan University, Lancaster University and Queen Mary University of London from Nov. 24–26 to advance academic cooperation and joint-degree programs.

The visit began Nov. 24 at Manchester Metropolitan University, where President Malcolm Press welcomed the delegation. SISU representatives met with academic leaders from several schools and toured the university’s teaching and laboratory facilities.

On Nov. 25, the delegation traveled to Lancaster University. Gou met with Simon Guy, vice chancellor, to review the two universities’ partnership dating back to 2009. Both leaders praised the strong performance of SISU students in the 3+1 bachelor’s-master’s pathway and renewed the cooperation agreement. The two sides also discussed expanding program majors, deepening research collaboration, promoting intercultural exchange and increasing faculty and student visits. The delegation also met with SISU students and faculty currently studying at Lancaster.

The visit concluded Nov. 26 at Queen Mary University of London, where Gou met with Vice President Helen Bailey. The two sides exchanged views on internationalization strategies, talent development and research cooperation. Discussions focused on the 2+2 joint undergraduate program, the 3+1 bachelor’s-master’s pathway, collaborative research opportunities and future cultural-exchange activities.

The three-day visit strengthened SISU’s long-standing partnerships with its UK counterparts and broadened the scope of its international cooperation programs. The trip also laid a stronger foundation for building a high-quality global network of institutional partners.