From November 16th to 25th, Li Yongqiang, president of the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, led a delegation to visit Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. Representatives and faculty members from the School of Finance, Institute of Chinese Financial Studies, Institute of Digital Economy and Interdisciplinary Science Innovation, and School of Management Science and Engineering also joined the delegation.
During the visit to Singapore, Li Yongqiang and the delegation attended the seminar "Prospects of Artificial Intelligence Applications in the Financial Industry" hosted by the China Construction Bank Singapore Branch and signed a strategic cooperation agreement with China Construction Bank Singapore Branch. Li Yongqiang expressed that finance is the lifeblood of the national economy, and technological empowerment is an irresistible trend. As the most critical catalyst for technological innovation, artificial intelligence is driving the financial industry into a new era of intelligence. He hoped that both sides could continue their friendship, work together, and contribute wisdom and strength to accelerate the construction of a strong financial country and the establishment of a modern financial system. Sun Nianbei, the General Manager of China Construction Bank Singapore Branch, stated that SWUFE has a profound history and strong educational strength, focusing on promoting the "New Finance and Economics" strategic upgrade in line with the national strategy. He looked forward to building a bridge of cooperation and exploring the development path together.
During the visit to Australia, Li Yongqiang and his delegation visited Monash University and University of Technology Sydney, respectively, focusing on in-depth discussions regarding developing the digital economics discipline, optimization of international education programs, and scientific research cooperation and exchanges.
Li Yongqiang and his delegation held talks with Craig Jeffrey, Pro Vice-Chancellor for International Affairs at Monash University and the head of the Business School. Li Yongqiang introduced the century-long development history, major strategic initiatives, and important achievements of SWUFE, reviewing the good cooperative relationship between the two universities over the years. He expressed the expectation of advancing higher quality and deeper cooperation in various fields to jointly promote the development of both universities to a new level. Craig Jeffrey congratulated and appreciated the achievements of SWUFE in recent years, looking forward to further exchanges and cooperation on multiple levels and dimensions with the university.
Li Yongqiang and his delegation held talks with Iain Watt, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of International Affairs at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), as well as Leo Mian Liu, Pro Vice-President of Global Partnerships, and relevant officials from the Business School and School of Information and Engineering. Li Yongqiang emphasized the advantages of developing applied economics disciplines at our university and the strategic initiatives in financial technology innovation. He stated that SWUFE has actively promoted interdisciplinary integration and collaborative innovation in recent years. UTS enjoyed a good reputation in computer science and engineering, and SWUFE hopes to further leverage the strengths of both institutions to actively explore new models for cultivating artificial intelligence and finance talents together. Iain Watt expressed that Southwestern University of Finance and Economics is an important strategic partner of UTS, and he hoped that the two universities could collaborate in the full-chain training of AI and finance talents at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels. They also discussed strengthening the connection of international educational programs and opening a new chapter of innovative cooperation.
During their visit to New Zealand, Li Yongqiang and his delegation met with Neil Quigley, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waikato, Alister Jones, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and relevant college officials. Li Yongqiang mentioned that the two universities have a solid foundation of cooperation and deep friendship. He looks forward to leveraging disciplinary resources, fully utilizing disciplinary characteristics, and further enhancing cooperation in talent cultivation. This includes jointly developing high-end think tanks, hosting high-level international conferences, and providing high-quality academic exchange platforms for domestic and international scholars.
Li Yongqiang and his delegation also visited the Consulate-General of the People’s Republic of China in Auckland and held talks with Wang Junchao, the Deputy Consul General. Li Yongqiang stated that the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics adheres to a strategy of deep openness and will continue to expand cooperation and exchanges with top universities in New Zealand at a higher level and in more fields. SWUFE aims to constantly explore new dimensions of high-level openness to the outside world.
