Taizhou University and the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford in the United States held a video conference to discuss cooperation in running schools on the morning of December 15. Le Chuanyong, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee and President of Taizhou University, Li Junmin, Member of the CPC Committee and Vice President of Taizhou University, Richard Esch, President of the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford, Jeffrey Johnson, James Baldwin, and Michael Davila, Vice Presidents of the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford, as well as leaders of the relevant departments of the two universities participated in the meeting. The video conference was hosted by Li Junmin.

Le Chuanyong and Richard Esch, on behalf of the two universities, introduced the cities where the two universities are located and the profile of the two universities respectively, especially with regard to the internationalization development, and invited the other party to make an on-site visit. Le Chuanyong expressed his hope to establish an all-round, wide-field, and multi-level exchange and cooperation with the University of Pittsburgh to strengthen the cultivation of internationalized professionals and to promote the high-quality development of the two universities. Richard Esch said he was very glad to have the opportunity to cooperate with Taizhou University and hoped that the two universities would strengthen the inter-university dialogue and exchange and carry out the “2+2” cooperative education program, so as to deepen the friendly inter-university relationship.

At the meeting, the two universities discussed the academic degrees and majors, language requirements, tuition, fees and scholarships, and admission requirements and procedures involved in the “2+2” cooperative education program, promoting the signing of the inter-university collaborative agreement, and the application for master’s degrees by students. The two sides reached a consensus that they will maintain close communication and contact in the next stage, and actively promote the “2+2” cooperation program in the disciplines such as mechanical engineering and environmental science and engineering.

Founded in 1787, the University of Pittsburgh is a long-established, internationally renowned comprehensive public university in the United States. It ranks 45th in the Best Global Universities Rankings 2023 by U.S. News & World Report. The Bradford Campus is in northern Pennsylvania. The campus is surrounded by forests and beautiful scenery. With more than 40 majors, the campus focuses on cross-fertilization of disciplines and interdisciplinary collaboration to promote the comprehensive development of students in multiple fields.