CDUT's secretary of Party Affairs Committee Liu Qingyou led a delegation to visit Universidad Central del Ecuador (UCE) from December 2 to 7, in a bid to further the “Belt and Road Initiative for Geoscience of CDUT” and to enhance collaboration with universities in Belt and Road countries. The two universities, along with their mutual strategic cooperation partner, CNPC Chuanqing Drilling Engineering Company Limited (CCDC), jointly organized the signing ceremonies for two agreements: the Education and Scientific Research Cooperation Agreement between CDUT and UCE, and the Cooperation Agreement between CCDC and UCE. The signing has successfully initiated CDUT's first venture into overseas cooperative education.
Chinese Ambassador to Ecuador Chen Guoyou was invited to the signing ceremony and delivered a speech. Relevant news reports were promptly published on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China and the official website of the Chinese Embassy in Ecuador.
The joint signing ceremony was presided over by Gustavo Pinto Arteaga, dean of the Faculty of Geology, Mining, Petroleum and Environmental Engineering at UCE. Speakers at this event included Liu Qingyou, secretary of Party Affairs Committee of CDUT, Fernando Sempertegui Ontaneda, president of UCE, and Zhang Xiong, general manager of the Ecuador branch of CCDC. The ceremony was further graced by the presence of a delegation from CDUT, comprising academics such as Zou Hao, vice dean of the Graduate School; Li Zhiwu, deputy director of the State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation; Lang Xianguo, a researcher in the same laboratory; Wu Yong, a professor at the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering; and Li Shan, deputy director of the Department of International Exchanges & Cooperation; Li Jun, deputy general manager of the PARAHUACU Oilfield Project of CCDC, Ning Xiaojun, deputy general manager of the Ecuador branch, and Zhang Bin, director of the Technical Department and Head of the CCDC-UCE Joint Laboratory. The event also saw a gathering of the academic community from UCE, including faculty members and students from the Faculty of Geology, Mining, Petroleum, and Environmental Engineering, and the leadership of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the School of Chemical Engineering.
Group photo at the signing ceremony
Ambassador Chen Guoyou offered heartfelt congratulations on the successful organization of the signing ceremony. He remarked, “The collaboration between these two institutions plants another tree of hope in the fertile ground of China-Ecuadorian educational and cultural cooperation, infusing new meaning into the comprehensive strategic partnership between our nations… Over the 43 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Ecuador, we have reaped abundant fruits from cooperation in various fields. The deepening affection and understanding between our people have turned the adage ‘thousands of miles apart, yet neighbors at heart’ into a living reality. As China vigorously implements the strategy for invigorating China through science and education, and the strategy on developing a quality workforce, and as we expand international scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation, we advocate for the principle that ‘science knows no borders and benefits all humanity.’ Together, we are committed to building a global community of shared scientific knowledge, jointly addressing the challenges of our era, and promoting peaceful development... I firmly believe that this signing ceremony will propel China-Ecuadorian collaboration forward, nurturing friendships and mutual growth among our outstanding youth, yielding exceptional scientific research outcomes, and cultivating talents who will serve as pillars in the construction of our nations. I am also confident that the young students of Ecuador will be moved by the splendid and profound Chinese culture, becoming representatives of heartfelt connection between China and Ecuador."
Leaders from CDUT, UCE, and CDCC posing for a photo with Chen Guoyou
Secretary Liu Qingyou provided an overview of CDUT, including its achievements in international scientific cooperation, exchange, and talent cultivation. He stated, “This signing ceremony marks the beginning of a new chapter in tripartite collaboration between the university and corporate sectors. We aim to promote communications between faculty and students, deepen international industry-academia-research cooperation, and cultivate high-quality talent with a global perspective for enterprises and industries related to geology, petroleum, and environmental engineering. Concurrently, we are committed to actively promoting ‘Belt and Road’ scientific innovation cooperation and cultural exchange, contributing to the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.”
Fernando Sempertegui Ontaneda expressed his sincere gratitude towards CDUT and CCDC for their diligent efforts. He affirmed his continued support for the joint establishment of academia-industry laboratories, proactive advancement of the implementation of the agreements, and provision of specialized teaching and cultural activity space for related Chinese language courses. Moreover, he underscored the importance of enhancing academic collaborations with international and corporate partners, specifically in areas such as oil and gas technology, risk management, and the teaching of the Chinese language.
Liu Qingyou and Fernando
Zhang Xiong announced that CCDC is set to actively innovate in the academia-industry collaboration model, providing comprehensive technical solutions for research projects in the joint laboratories. The company is committed to advancing educational development through academia-industry cooperation and jointly addressing new challenges in the petroleum industry.
Upon the conclusion of the signing ceremony, both parties exchanged gifts. On behalf of CDUT, Liu Qingyou cordially invited Fernando to lead a delegation to visit CDUT, with the aim of reinforcing the friendship and further deepening the win-win cooperation.
The CDUT delegation posing for a photograph with Fernando
Through this signing ceremony, CDUT will continue to deepen its collaboration with CCDC and UCE while remain committed to a substantial involvement in the development of the “CCDC-UCE Joint University Enterprise Laboratory.” This tripartite collaboration between academia and industry will encompass joint scientific research and technical projects, internships, and practical training programs. Among the initiatives are international postgraduate training courses in petroleum engineering technology for UCE students, international doctoral training classes on “Large Landslide Investigation, Analysis, and Management” under the International Consortium on Landslides (iRALL School), comprehensive Chinese language courses (a series of graded programs), and an array of courses on Chinese culture. Additionally, CDUT will regularly dispatch faculty members to UCE for on-site instruction, fostering the joint cultivation of international postgraduate students.
The signing ceremony
CDUT’s collaboration with UCE began in December 2021. Assisted by CCDC, both institutions engaged in online exchanges and signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Since then, the cooperation has continually strengthened. CDUT has actively participated in the development of the CCDC-UCE Joint Laboratory, attended the online International Conference on Renewable Energy in Ecuador, and jointly held online research collaboration seminars with corporate partners and universities. CDUT has also launched online Chinese language courses for students of UCE, invited Professor Gustavo Pinto, dean of the Faculty of Geology, Mining, Petroleum, and Environmental Engineering at UCE, to visit CDUT, and appointed him as a visiting professor at CDUT.
Leaders from both universities posing for a photo with student union leaders of UCE
CDUT's delegation visited Quito, the capital of Ecuador, engaging in a series of successful collaborative and exchange activities with UCE. This series of interactions plays a pivotal role in propelling CDUT towards its “double world-class project” objectives, offering crucial support to businesses expanding internationally, broadening its horizons in international education models, nurturing top-tier international talents with a comprehensive global vision and competence, and making significant strides in international scientific collaboration. This endeavor considerably enhances CDUT's stature on the global stage.
