On November 23, 2015, led by Dean Diane MAYER, a delegation from the Faculty of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney (USyd) visited the Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University (FOE). The purpose of the visit was to discuss with FOE on future collaboration.

The USyd delegation consisted of Associate Dean Frances WAUGH, Associate Professor Janette BOBIS, Associate Professor Alyson SIMPSON, Professor Antony WELCH, Associate Professor Jennifer WAY and Associate Professor David EVANS. The BNU delegation included Dean of Faculty of Education SHI Zhongying, Vice Dean LI Jiayong, Vice Dean ZHU Xudong, Vice Dean YU Shengquan, Assistant Dean LIU Qiang, Professor Robert Tierney, Professor TAN Chuanbao, Associate Professor DONG Yan, Associate Professor HU Xiaoyi, Associate Professor SANG Guoyuan, Associate Professor ZHANG Danhui, Assoicate Professor LI Baoping, Lecturer ZHANG Yuexin, Researcher LIN Ke, Graduate Student Ms. WU Xiaolu, Director of Teaching Affairs Ms. HUANG Xin, Director of Academic Affairs Ms. LIU Yang, Director of International Exchange Mr. WU Haitao and Coordinator of International Exchange Ms. SU Shana.

Vice Dean LI Jiayong hosted the collaboration meeting in the morning. After he extended a formal and warm welcome to the visiting delegation, Dean SHI and Dean MAYER gave remarks respectively. Assistant Dean LIU Qiang gave a brief introduction of FOE. The meeting then proceeded to focus on the following four topics for future collaboration, i.e., (1) Joint Research Programs, (2) Establishment of an International Joint Research Center, (3) Student Exchange Program, Joint Degree Program, Dual Degree Program and (4) Faculty Exchange Program. Both sides had a very productive meeting with some important decisions made. In the afternoon, Vice Dean YU Shengquan hosted the presentation session, in which 7 FOE professors or students gave presentations on their research or research proposals on behalf of their joint research teams. The USyd delegates gave comments on the presentations and both sides had stimulating discussions on the research projects.

At the end of the meeting, both Dean MAYER and Dean SHI affirmed that this was a very rewarding meeting. Both sides were very excited about the future collaboration between FOE and USyd. It was decided that leaders of the two institutions would communicate more frequently to maintain the momentum, monitor the progress and solve potential problems in a timely manner.