Chinese NPC Vice-Chairman visits DCU on 2 August 2005.
Thursday 18 August 2005

Counsellor Fan Jian of the Chinese Embassy, Mr Li Beihai, Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Affairs committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski, DCU President and Mr. Cheng Si-wei, Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC)

Mr. Cheng Si-wei, Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC) visited DCU on 2 August 2005.

Mr Cheng is the Chairman of the China Democratic National Construction Association, which is one of the democratic parties in China; he is also a Vice-President of the Chinese Association for International Understanding (CAFIU). The delegation, led by Mr Chen, consisted of nine members including Mr Li Beihai, Vice-Chairman of the Foreign Affairs committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC). Counsellor Fan Jian of the Chinese Embassy accompanied Mr Chen's delegation on the visit to DCU.

During the visit Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski briefed Mr Cheng on DCU's role in Irish higher education and its significant role in the Irish economy. President von Prondzynski with Vice-Chairman Cheng conducted a tour of DCU campus, visiting the NCSR research centre, the Invent centre and the Library.

Over the last few years, DCU has developed active arrangements in the electronic engineering and computing areas with Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications and Hangzhou Dianzi University and these are in the process of being extended to Wuhan University and Shanghai Jiaotong University. The arrangements involve students from each of these universities undertaking programmes of study at DCU, from undergraduate to taught masters and PhD levels.

DCU has research collaboration with the top Chinese universities and research institutions including Beijing University, Tsinghua University, the Chinese Academy of Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, through China-Ireland Science and Technology Collaboration Research Fund projects, and has research collaboration with Xiamen University, through an Asia-Link programme.

The visit to DCU by Vice-Chairman Cheng is in recognition of DCU's status in Irish higher education sector and its strong collaboration with China.