SUSTech Welcomes Delegation from Flinders University

On the morning of April 17, 2026, a delegation from Flinders University (Australia), led by Professor Colin Stirling, President of Flinders University, visited the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech). President Qikun Xue of SUSTech welcomed the Australian delegation, together with representatives from relevant schools and departments.

During the meeting, President Colin Stirling praised SUSTech’s rapid rise and expressed strong interest in its strategic approach to faculty recruitment, particularly its focus on attracting overseas talent. He also highlighted Flinders University’s leadership in industry-engaged PhD programs and its innovative degree apprenticeship model, which integrates paid industry work with academic study.

President Qikun Xue noted that SUSTech, as a new-model research university in the Greater Bay Area, remains committed to national strategies and high-level opening-up in education. He added that Flinders University, as Australia’s fastest-growing research institution with its leadership in industry-engaged PhD programs and degree apprenticeships, offers broad opportunities for collaboration with SUSTech in research innovation and industry-education integration. “SUSTech looks forward to working with young, dynamic partners like Flinders University to contribute to global higher education and scientific innovation,” President Xue said.

Dr. Bill Damachis, Director of International Partnerships at Flinders University, provided an overview of his institution and the innovation landscape of South Australia. He noted the region’s growing demand for engineering talent and expressed interest in exploring joint student supervision and mobility programs, building on the emerging water research collaboration between the two universities.

In response, Professor Zhihai He, Chair Professor of the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at SUSTech's College of Engineering, noted that while the Chinese government strongly prioritizes international cooperation in academic research and industry, SUSTech's beautiful and internationally oriented campus stands as a testament to that vision. Professor Yan Zheng, Head of the School of Environmental Science and Engineering at SUSTech, added that SUSTech is both open and highly competitive. She noted that its research groups have grown rapidly, and that the university provides a supportive environment with high-quality graduate students conducive to advancing research.

During the open discussion, both sides acknowledged their shared ambition as young, research-driven institutions and agreed to explore concrete pathways for future collaboration.

The meeting concluded with a signing ceremony, during which an Academic Progression Agreement was signed to advance cooperation in talent cultivation and academic exchange.

About Flinders University

Flinders University is a globally engaged, research-intensive university based in Adelaide, South Australia. Recognized as the fastest-growing research institution in Australia over the past decade, Flinders is distinguished by its deep integration with industry, including national leadership in industry-engaged PhD programs and innovative degree apprenticeships. The university's research strengths span health and medical sciences, environmental sustainability, and advanced manufacturing.