On April 15, 2025, Prof. Chris Whitehead, Vice President of Newcastle University (UK), led a delegation to visit our school. Deputy Dean Prof. Dongdong Wang, along with department director Prof. Feng Shi (Architecture) and Prof. Wangtu Xu (Urban Planning), joined discussions on enhancing talent cultivation and research collaboration.

During the meeting, both sides explored joint education programs within Xiamen University’s framework, focusing on undergraduate curriculum development. Prof. Wang highlighted SACE’s achievements in academic development, global talent training, and industry-university-research collaboration, noting the school’s aim to refine international education mechanisms, strengthen interdisciplinary synergy, and nurture high-caliber professionals with global visions to boost academic influence and industry innovation.

Prof. Whitehead praised SACE’s disciplinary strengths and development philosophy, introducing Newcastle’s research edge in sustainable architecture, smart construction, and urban design. He expressed hopes for long-term collaboration in joint programs, academic exchanges, and research partnerships to advance global civil engineering and architecture education.

The visit laid groundwork for practical collaboration, with both sides planning to detail proposals for project implementation.