In order to implement the global cooperation network layout strategy of building a "Double First-rate" university and promote global exchanges of College of Environmental & Resource Sciences of Zhejiang University, Professor Chen Baoliang (Dean of College of Environmental & Resource Sciences of Zhejiang University) led a delegation to pay a visit to Duke University and Northwestern University from May 18 to May 24, where fruitful outcomes in terms of talent introduction and international cooperation were delivered. Professor Chen Dingjiang (Assistant of Dean), as well as the staff members of Human Resources and Secretary of International Relations also made the trip.

Duke University: make an introduction of the strategy of "Double First-rate" University and attract more talents

From May 19 to May 22, Professor Chen Baoliang (Dean of College of Environmental & Resource Sciences of Zhejiang University) led a delegation to pay a visit to Duke University, and attended the Chinese Environmental Scholars Forum, Seminar of Talent Recruitment, and Dean Roundtable Conference. The forum, the most influential event among the meetings of young Chinese environmental scholars, has become an important channel for these scholars to return to China for employment. Also, it serves as an important arena where major universities in China compete for returning talents. This year, a great many colleges and universities participated in the forum. A total of 150 environmental scholars attended the forum, such as the professors from MIT, Yale University, Duke University, Washington University, USEPA, and other top universities and research institutes, as well as the deans from nearly 20 top universities and research institutes in China such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Nanjing University, Harbin Institute of Technology, Xiamen University, Beijing Normal University, and so on.

Professor Chen Baoliang (Dean of College of Environmental & Resource Sciences of Zhejiang University) made a brief introduction at the Seminar of Talent Recruitment

At the Chinese Environmental Scholars Forum, Professor Chen Baoliang and the other staff members listened attentively to the academic reports made by all young scholars. And based on a clear picture of all the reports, they made a "one-on-one" exchange of views with the scholars after the forum, thus creating a good response. At the Seminar of Talent Recruitment, Professor Chen Baoliang systematically introduced the important achievements achieved by College of Environmental & Resource Sciences of Zhejiang University in terms of talent cultivation, scientific research, and discipline construction. With the focus on the goals and ideas of "Double First-rate" University, he illustrated the treatment policy of talent demand and introduction, which received extensive attention from the scholars. At the subsequent Exhibition of Talent Recruitment, the recruitment booth of College of Environmental & Resource Sciences attracted a large number of young Chinese scholars studying in the United States. Effective measures were taken for information dissemination and on-the-spot interpretation. A total of 20 pieces of materials including resumes and information materials about outstanding young scholars who expressed their readiness to serve in Zhejiang University. Also, a communication channel was set up with young Chinese scholars studying in the United States. The leaders of the College of Environmental & Resource Sciences will, based on the conditions of these scholars, will conduct further talent selection and connection to lay a solid foundation for accelerating the talent introduction during the construction of "Double First-rate" University.

Professor Chen Baoliang made an on-site interpretation of the related policies to those environmental scholars who expressed their readiness to serve in Zhejiang University

Professor Chen Baoliang and the other staff members at the Exhibition of Talent Recruitment

On May 21, Professor Chen Baoliang and the other staff members were invited to attend the Dean Roundtable Conference of Environmental Study and Education. Sally Kornbluth (Dean of Studies, Duke University), Jeff Vincet (Dean of Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences), Brian Murry (Energy Research Center), Jackson Ewing (Director of Cultivating Center, International Master of Environmental Policy), Billy Pizer (Associate Dean of College of Public Relations), as well as deans and assistant deans from Peking University, Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, Nanjing University, Harbin Institute of Technology, Xiamen University, Beijing Normal University and so on attended the conference. At the conference, Professor Chen Baoliang expounded the main characteristics and future prospect of scientific research and education in terms of environmental problems of the College of Environmental & Resource Sciences of Zhejiang University, introduced the situation of international exchanges and launched a heated discussion with the participants on some popular environmental issues. After the conference, Professor Chen Baoliang made an in-depth exchange with Jeff Vincet (Dean of Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences), Brian Murry (Energy Research Center), and Jackson Ewing (Director of Cultivating Center, International Master of Environmental Policy), and expressed his readiness to cooperate with Duke University in various aspects such as talent cultivation and scientific research, thus creating a positive response among the scholars and professors. In the future, both sides will reach a consensus on further exchange of visits and the establishment of strategic partnerships.

Professor Chen Baoliang, along with Jeff Vincet (Dean of Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences of Duke University) and Brian Murry (Energy Research Center)

Northwestern University: tap more potential for exchanges, and promote a series of cooperative initiatives across the board

From May 23 to May 24, Professor Chen Dingjiang (Assistant of Dean, College of Environmental & Resource Sciences of Zhejiang University) and his colleagues visited Northwestern University and met with Dévora Grynspan (Vice President of International Relations), Jay Walsh (Vice President for Research), Kimberly Gray (Head of Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering), Jeff Henderson (Deputy Director of Institute of Sustainable Development and Energy Research) and so on.

With regard to the preliminary cooperation between Zhejiang University and Northwestern University, Chen Dingjiang introduced the basic situation, teaching characteristics, and the construction process of " Double First-rate" University of College of Environmental & Resource Sciences to the related professors, and expressed the cooperative willingness in terms of exchanges of students and teachers, scientific research, overseas studios of famous professors, talent recommendation and so on. On the basis of this visit, the students and teachers from Northwestern University, who specialize in the field of environmental & resource sciences, are welcomed to pay a visit to Zhejiang University. It is suggested that a strategic cooperation framework, based on further discussion, should be established as soon as possible to promote short-term exchanges or 3+x Program for the students in various faculties and departments.

Professor Chen Dingjiang (Assistant of Dean, College of Environmental & Resource Sciences of Zhejiang University), along with Dévora Grynspan (Vice President of Northwestern University) and Jay Walsh (Vice President of Northwestern University)

Professor Chen Dingjiang (Assistant of Dean, College of Environmental & Resource Sciences of Zhejiang University), along with Kimberly Gray (Head of Department of Department of Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering) and Jeff Henderson (Deputy Director of Institute of Sustainable Development and Energy Research)

Dévora Grynspan, Jay Walsh, and other professors spoke highly of the fruitful outcomes of the cooperation between Zhejiang University and Northwestern University in the field of engineering. They expressed their willingness to expand exchanges and cooperation with College of Environmental & Resource Sciences of Zhejiang University, and believed that there was enormous potential to be tapped in such fields as environmental science, environmental engineering, and resource recycling. They hoped to pay a visit with other students and teachers to Zhejiang University in the future to boost strategic cooperation and launch the programs of student exchange and short-term visits for teachers. Based on the in-depth exchanges and discussions, both sides formulated a memorandum of exchange.