On September 18, Dr. Logan Bannister, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington (VUW), New Zealand, led a delegation of four to visit BUCEA. Vice President CHEN Zhaohui and other university officials welcomed the guests and participated in the discussions.

CHEN Zhaohui highlighted that VUW has strong academic foundations and distinctive strengths in areas such as architectural design and economic management, which closely align with BUCEA’s key disciplines. As a university with a focus on architecture, BUCEA aims to leverage this visit to further develop integrated undergraduate-to-master’s programs and dual-master’s degree initiatives, expand faculty and student exchanges, and promote joint academic seminars with VUW. The collaboration is expected to enhance resource sharing, foster complementary advantages, and cultivate high-quality talent with a global perspective ready to meet the demands of the international architecture and economic sectors.

Dr. Bannister noted that in recent years, VUW has attached great importance to developing partnerships with Chinese universities. BUCEA has achieved outstanding results in teaching and research in areas such as architectural heritage conservation, intelligent construction, and urban planning. The MoU signed by the two universities in July marked a new phase in our cooperation. She emphasized that VUW will fully support the implementation of joint projects and looks forward to deepening collaboration through faculty and student exchanges, joint research, and other initiatives.

During the meeting, Prof. Robyn Phipps, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation; Amy Rutherford, Director of the International Office; and CAO Juan, Director of China Engagement, discussed with BUCEA representatives the joint training programs, faculty and student exchanges, and research collaboration, reaching consensus on the next steps for cooperation.

The VUW delegation also visited BUCEA’s Xicheng Campus after the meeting.