On 31 August, a seven-member delegation from the Switzerland-China Association arrived at our university, accompanied by Guo Hongyan, Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of Shenyang Municipal People’s Government. During the visit, the two sides held talks and signed a memorandum of understanding(MoU). University Party Secretary Guo Changyi attended the meeting and the signing ceremony. Party Standing Committee Member and Vice President Xia Baishu signed the MoU on behalf of the university with LEP Consultants AG of Switzerland. Also present were Thomas Wagner, Honorary President of the Switzerland-China Association and former Mayor of Zurich; Diego Salmerón, Vice President of the Switzerland-China Association and CEO of LEP; and Wang Lian, General Manager of LEP’s China subsidiary.
During the meeting, University Party Secretary Guo Changyi extended a warm welcome to Thomas Wagner and his delegation on behalf of the university. He outlined the university’s disciplinary strengths, achievements in talent development, distinctive campus culture, and accomplishments in international exchange and cooperation. Guo emphasized that the university will uphold an open philosophy, actively integrate into the global higher-education system, and use internationalization to drive high-quality, connotative development. He looked forward to leveraging the visit to advance and deepen future collaboration with the Switzerland-China Association in key areas such as urban renewal, architectural and landscape design, and urban–rural planning.
Mr. Thomas Wagner shared his impressions since arriving in Shenyang, saying he had been deeply inspired by the city’s vibrant development. He noted that the Switzerland-China Association has long been committed to fostering friendly exchanges between Switzerland and China in education, economics, and culture, and to enhancing mutual understanding. Looking ahead, he expressed the hope of building bridges for cooperation between ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich on the one hand, and Shenyang Jianzhu University on the other, so as to advance dialogue and collaboration in talent cultivation, scientific research, and academic exchange.
Following the meeting, Xia Baishu and Diego Salmerón jointly signed the memorandum of understanding.
The delegation from the Foreign Affairs Office of Shenyang Municipal People’s Government and the Switzerland-China Association also toured the university’s historic building complex. They expressed high praise for the institution’s rich historical heritage, distinctive architectural culture, and the design works created by its faculty. Representatives from the European and African Affairs Division of the Foreign Affairs Office, together with officials from the university’s Party and Government Office, Office of International Exchange and Cooperation, and School of Architecture and Urban Planning, attended the event.
