On the afternoon of October 16, 2024, Professor Maurits van Rooijen, President of University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE) from Germany, visited Sias University to explore potential collaboration opportunities between the two universities following the successful 20th IAUP triennial conference in Beijing. Dr. Shawn Chen, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Sias University, and Prof. Lucy Lu, Provost and Vice President of Sias University, met with Prof. Maurits van Rooijen. Prof. Bai Qin, Dean of Sias School of Medicine, Ms. Cui Cancan, teacher from Sias School of Medicine, Ms. Feng Lan, International Project Specialist of Sias Office of International Affairs, and Ms. Yang Jingcao, teacher from Sias School of International Education, participated in the meeting discussions around potential collaboration programs and student exchange opportunities.
During the visit, Dr. Shawn Chen and President Maurits van Rooijen signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on behalf of the two universities. Under this framework agreement, both sides will cooperate in student exchange programs, faculty exchange, joint research, and joint organization of academic conferences, seminars，workshops, and other activities.
Dr. Shawn Chen signed MOU with Professor Maurits van Rooijen
At the meeting, Dr. Chen first welcomed President Maurits van Rooijen to Sias University. He then introduced the history and development of Sias University and his vision to establish a global university that embraces East and West and integrates knowledge with practice. He emphasized that SIAS is a higher education institution with the ethos of liberal arts education which attaches equal importance to Management, Economics, and Engineering, offering multiple disciplines such as Art, Literature, Education, Medicine, and Law. By continuously deepening innovation and reforms such as internationalization, residential college systems, dual academy system, tutorial system, credit system, university-industry collaborations, and digital transformation, Sias University implemented precise education, flexible education, individualized education, smart education, and cultivated more than 100,000 high-quality applied talents for the society.
Dr. Chen said: “I am pleased to see the establishment of strategic collaborations between Sias University and the UE. I hope our collaboration will encourage more academic and student exchanges, promote innovative curriculum development that enhances students’ experiences, and foster creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and innovation in campus through AI-empowered teaching.”
Prof. Lucy Lu, Provost and Vice President of Sias University, said: “I am delighted to welcome the University of Europe for Applied Sciences, one of Europe's premier private universities, to our institution. I am eager to engage in in-depth discussions with the UE international team to explore opportunities for collaboration and support more Sias students in their pursuit of international education.”
President Maurits van Rooijen expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome of Sias and said the cooperation between the two universities has a good foundation and great potential. UE is willing to further discuss the cooperation with Sias and work together to yield more fruitful results.
Dr. Shawn Chen, Prof. Lucy Lu, met with Professor Maurits van Rooijen
Prof. Lucy Lu, Prof. Bai Qin, Ms. Cui Cancan, Ms. Feng Lan and Ms. Yang Jingcao, met with Prof. Maurits van Rooijen
After the signing of MOU, President Maurits van Rooijen and Vice President Lucy Lu were interviewed by Sias Radio. President Maurits van Rooijen pointed out that true education should not be limited to classroom teaching, but to let students accumulate valuable experience through practice. In today's world of international integration, young people in the new era should uphold an open and inclusive mindset, embrace the world, and seek common ground while preserving differences. Vice President Lu Yang encouraged the students to humbly listen to the advice of President Maurits van Rooijen, be proactive, and seize every opportunity to try, realizing the value of life.
Professor Lucy Lu and Professor Maurits van Rooijen took an interview from Sias Radio
