Skip to main content

UIBE Presidential Delegation Visit to the University of Leeds – 23 May 2025 

Date

UIBE Presidential Delegation Visit to the University of Leeds – 23 May 2025 

On Friday 23rd May 2025, the University of Leeds was honoured to host a distinguished delegation from the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), China. The visiting delegation included: 

  • ZHAO Zhongxiu, President, UIBE 
  • LI Xiaomeng, Director of the International Office, UIBE 
  • Professor CAO Xiaoyong, Dean of the School of Economics, UIBE 
  • WANG Quan, Deputy Director of the Center for Chinese Language Promotion and International Education, UIBE 

Founded in 1951, UIBE is a leading Chinese institution specialising in international business and economics. The University of Leeds has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with UIBE, marked by the establishment of The Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds (BCI) in November 2012 as a joint initiative between the two institutions. 

The highlight of the visit was the signing of a university-wide Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), formalised by Professor Hai-Sui Yu, Provost & Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds. This MoU reaffirms and expands the collaborative partnership, extending beyond the Business Schools to encourage engagement across a wider range of faculties. 

The visit also featured a series of high-level discussions and engagements, including: 

  • An open forum between both delegations focused on expanding joint initiatives in student education, research collaboration, and broader academic engagement.
  • A BCI Council meeting, which reviewed the achievements and ongoing impact of the Business Confucius Institute. The meeting highlighted the Institute’s contributions to Leeds students, local schools, the business community, and civic organisations. Attendees included Professor Iain Clacher, Pro Dean International at Leeds University Business School, Professor Lynda Song, Executive Director of BCI, and Dr HU Rong, Chinese Director of BCI, along with other colleagues. 
  • A Leeds University Business School (LUBS) roundtable, where the delegation met with senior academic and professional staff, including Ellen Wang (Faculty International Manager), Professor David Spencer (Head of Economics), and Dr Elizabeth Wang (Director of Student Education, International Business). 
  • A visit to the BCI offices, where the delegation met with Chinese language staff sent by UIBE. Discussions focused on the value of Chinese language education and the positive cultural impact of BCI events here in Leeds. 

 

Professor Hai-Sui Yu, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: “Signing this agreement with UIBE reflects the trust and mutual respect that have been built over many years. Both universities are committed to nurturing graduates with a strong international mindset, and this partnership will support rich academic exchanges and new cross-disciplinary initiatives.”

 

Professor Zhongxiu Zhao, President of UIBE, who was part of the UIBE delegation welcomed to Leeds on 23 May, added: “We are delighted to strengthen our agreement with the University of Leeds. As two globally engaged institutions, we look forward to working together more deeply across multiple subject areas. 

This visit marked another milestone in the deepening relationship between UIBE and the University of Leeds, reinforcing shared goals in internationalisation, academic excellence, and cross-cultural understanding.