From April 22 to 29, ZHENG Yu, Chairman of the University Council of Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture (BUCEA), led a delegation to Brazil and Peru. The visit included attending the inauguration ceremony of the  China-Peru International Talent Training and Practice Base in Culture-Enriched Digital Cities, engaging with four universities (São Paulo State University, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, University of Engineering and Technology in Lima, and National University of San Antonio Abad in Cuzco), discussing collaboration with the Yellow River Co., Ltd. Americas Branch, PowerChina, and paying a courtesy visit to the Chinese Embassy in Peru. The delegation focused on implementing the China-CELAC Forum consensus, advancing cooperation with Brazilian and Peruvian universities and enterprises in talent cultivation, technological innovation, and industry-education integration, and signing multiple agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with significant outcomes.

At the inauguration ceremony of the China-Peru International Talent Training and Practice Base in Culture-Enriched Digital Cities, Chairman ZHENG Yu, President Luis Javier Bustamante Romero from University of Engineering and Technology, Peru, and Director PENG Zhaohui from the Yellow River Co., Ltd. Americas Branch, Power China signed a Letter of Intent and jointly unveiled the base. The three parties will integrate resources in architectural heritage conservation, human settlement optimization, geospatial technology, and future construction technologies to cultivate professionals aligned with Latin America and the Caribbean's development needs, providing talent and technological support for both nations.

Base inauguration ceremony

Signing of the Trilateral Agreement

At São Paulo State University, ZHENG Yu and the Rector Maysa Furlan exchanged views on scientific research and talent development, signing an Inter-University Cooperation Agreement. Under the framework of the Belt and Road Architectural University International Consortium (BRAUIC), both institutions will collaborate on smart construction, smart cities, and engineering surveying. BUCEA will admit São Paulo students to its English-taught master's programs and organize student exchanges for architectural heritage conservation projects and urban development research in Brazil.

ZHENG Yu signing the Inter-University Cooperation Agreement

ZHENG Yu discussing with São Paulo State University representatives

At Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, ZHENG Yu and Rector Anderson Antonio Pedroso signed an agreement, focusing on emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, smart cities, and intelligent manufacturing. Both sides pledged to advance joint projects and ensure tangible outcomes.

ZHENG Yu signing a Cultural, Educational, and Scientific Cooperation Agreement and a Student Exchange Agreement with Rector Anderson Antonio Pedroso from Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro  

ZHENG Yu discussing with Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro

ZHENG Yu visiting the civil engineering lab of the university

At the University of Engineering and Technology, Peru, ZHENG Yu invited the University to join the BRAUIC and discussed collaborative plans with the Yellow River Co., Ltd. Americas Branch, PowerChina on the base project. The parties will jointly promote applied research, technology transfer, and industry-education integration in smart urban planning and navigation engineering, while supporting local infrastructure projects.

ZHENG Yu signing an MoU with President Luis Javier Bustamante Romero from University of Engineering and Technology

Academic exchanges

ZHENG Yu visiting the University's Pritzker Prize-winning campus and labs

At National University of San Antonio Abad in Cuzco, ZHENG Yu and the Rector Eleazar Crucinta Ugarte signed an MoU to share expertise in historic preservation, smart cities, and green architecture. The two universities will jointly conduct technology sharing and talent development on architecture heritage preservation, restoration technology cooperation, and urban sustainable development. This marks a milestone in cross-cultural and technological synergy between two century-old institutions.

Two university presidents signing an MoU

Campus tour at National University of San Antonio Abad in Cuzco

Meeting with National University of San Antonio Abad in Cuzco

During talks with Minister Ciwangpingcuo of the Chinese Embassy in Peru, focusing on deepening China-Peru higher education cooperation, fostering industry-academia-research synergy, and aligning infrastructure technologies under the Belt and Road Initiative. ZHENG Yu introduced BUCEA's century-old academic heritage, highlighting the university's distinctive strengths and emphasizing its commitment to advancing bilateral university collaboration and joint research initiatives to cultivate localized technical talents for Peru. Ciwangpingcuo noted that Peru, as a Latin American powerhouse in mineral and agricultural resources, is accelerating its infrastructure modernization. He expressed anticipation for BUCEA to leverage its disciplinary expertise in supporting Chinese enterprises to implement technical standards locally. The discussions injected fresh momentum into BUCEA's efforts to expand cooperation in Peru.

Meeting with the Chinese Embassy in Peru

At the Yellow River Co., Ltd. Americas Branch, PowerChina, ZHENG Yu and the delegation engaged in in-depth discussions with company executives. The two sides agreed to collaborate on joint construction of the practical base, industry-academia-research integration, and co-development of technical standards, marking a critical step in achieving full-chain synergy across "scientific research breakthroughs – talent co-cultivation – standard globalization."

Meeting with the Yellow River Co., Ltd. Americas Branch, PowerChina

This visit exemplifies BUCEA's concrete actions, grounded in its century-long engineering heritage and the platform of the BRAUIC, to advance green and low-carbon development in China-Latin America relations and foster Asia-Pacific momentum for sustainable innovation. By precisely aligning with Latin American nations' demands for talent and technology in smart city development, architectural heritage conservation, and green infrastructure construction, the university synergizes its academic strengths with state-owned enterprises' "going global" strategy, strategically building platforms and bridges to support Chinese enterprises' overseas expansion.

The delegation signed six cooperation agreements with four prestigious universities and inaugurated innovative platforms such as the  China-Peru International Talent Training and Practice Base in Culture-Enriched Digital Cities, underscoring Chinese universities' commitment to advancing a China-LatAm community with a shared future.