Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU) conduct an online academic exchange with Ghent University on Sept 16.

Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU) and Ghent University in Belgium held an online academic exchange activity on materials science and engineering between China and Belgium on Sept 16.

XJTU President Wang Shuguo and Rik Van de Walle, president of Ghent University, gave speeches via video.

Wang Shuguo, president of XJTU, delivers a speech via video.

Wang said that China and Belgium have successfully conducted very friendly exchanges. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Belgium, XJTU is very pleased to continue to develop deeper and more extensive cooperation with Ghent University on the basis of past exchanges and cooperation between the two universities, and hopes that together they will make due contributions to the future development of mankind.

Van der Walle said that 2021 is not only the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Belgium, but also the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the China Platform at Ghent University.

For this reason, Ghent University and many Chinese universities, including XJTU, Tsinghua University, and Tongji University, have organized a number of online exchange activities this year to promote scientific research and education cooperation between Chinese and Belgian universities. 

Rick Van der Walle, president of Ghent University, delivers a speech via video.

XJTU Professor Wang Jianyun and Associate Professor Wu Weifeng, and Filip Du Prez and Karen De Clerck, professors from Ghent University, respectively reported the latest research progress and shared their thoughts on scientific research.

In response to the current challenges faced by the application of solid waste in construction in China, Wang reported on the research progress in microbial mineralization and deposition technology. He said that the technology is expected to be applied in the reuse of solid waste in construction and will help realize the goal of "turning waste into treasure."

Du Prez reported on the team's latest progress in the field of thermoplastic polymer material chemistry, and proposed two types of recyclable polymer materials with ton-level production potential, which may provide new chemical solutions for alleviating global white pollution.

De Clerck introduced the latest progress of Ghent University in the field of polymer spinning materials. He said that the environmentally-friendly aqueous solution spinning technology provides a reference for the development of environmentally friendly polymer fibers.

In addition to the latest developments in materials research, Wu shared his understanding of the differences between Chinese and Western scientific research and scientific thoughts, and proposed unique ideas for postgraduate innovative education, triggering a storm of scientific thinking.

Ghent University is one of the world's top research universities, ranking first in Belgium. In recent years, XJTU and Ghent University have conducted a series of programs in the field of materials science, and have produced internationally influential research results in the fields of polymer materials and building materials.

This online meeting not only further strengthened the exchanges between the two universities in scientific research, but also laid the foundation for more cooperation in education.

Over 40 teachers and students participated in the online activity. Zhang Qilu, associate professor of XJTU, and Richard Hoogenboom, professor of Ghent University, co-hosted the event.