The University of Birmingham is a world-class research-oriented university, founded in 1825. It is one of the "red brick universities" in the UK and the first university in the Russell Group to announce accepting Chinese college entrance examination results. Its renowned Chinese alumni include Li Siguang, the father of modern Chinese geology. Academician Zhong Nanshan was also awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Birmingham. Birmingham, where the university is located, is the second largest city in the UK and the center of Britain’s automotive industry.
"There is a red clock tower of over 100 meters high in the university, which was built in memory of Joseph Chamberlain, the first Chancellor of the University of Birmingham", said Jon Frampton, Deputy Pro-Vice Chancellor, the University of Birmingham, Professor of Cell Biology at the Birmingham Medical School, and Director of the China Institute of the University of Birmingham. Jon introduced that this red clock tower is a landmark building in Birmingham, and it can be seen from every part of the city. Every hour, melodious bells can be heard from miles away.
The China Institute of the University of Birmingham is a core institution coordinating the activities between the University of Birmingham and China. Its goal is to bring together talents, ideas, resources, research and academic excellence to create opportunities for professors who seek to collaborate with China. Jon Frampton also said that the China Institute is also committed to enhancing the influence of Chinese culture at the University of Birmingham.
Jon Frampton has been to Nanjing many times. In addition to visiting Southeast University, Nanjing University, Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute and many other universities and research institutions, he also visited Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum and Niushou Mountain. "Getting a panoramic view while standing on the top of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum, I feel the charm of Nanjing's geographical environment and urban planning." He recalled that he was very happy breathing in fresh air at Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum.
The two cities have maintained close exchanges and frequent mutual visits for more than ten consecutive years. In April 2019, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Ms. Yvonne Mosquito, led a delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs from Birmingham to visit Nanjing. They visited Gold Foil Group, Little Red Flower Art Troupe and other institutions to promote exchanges and cooperation between the two sides in economy, trade and culture. In November 2020, under the promotion of Jon Frampton and others, the University of Birmingham, Southeast University and Jiangning Development Zone cooperated to set up the Borui Life Science Research Institute in Nanjing. In February, 2022, the institute was approved as a novel R&D institution. "The research institute jointly established by the two universities is promoting both parties to use their respective strengths to conduct scientific research and promote the transformation of scientific and technological achievements."
In terms of literary exchanges, Nanjing University, Jiangsu Phoenix Press and the University of Birmingham signed a cooperation agreement on Shakespeare literature research in 2016. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Birmingham then visited Nanjing and together the three parties held a new book release conference for the Shakespeare stage play and discussed the publication of follow-up works .
Jon Frampton has forged a deep bond with China. "The exchange between Birmingham and Nanjing has become a model of the close relationship between China and the UK." He looked forward to visiting Nanjing again to jointly promote a new phase of projects, further expand cooperation in energy, and bring real benefits to the two cities. He will be committed to further exchanges related to Shakespeare and in other cultural fields to enrich the cultural life of both sides.
Sister City Links >>>
Birmingham is a large industrial city in the Midwest of England, an important transportation hub in the UK, and the largest metropolitan area outside London. With its rich coal and iron resources, Birmingham quickly became the center of the British Industrial Revolution and enjoyed the reputation as "cradle of the Industrial Revolution" and "World Factory". In recent years, Birmingham has attached great importance to the use of high and new technologies in transforming traditional industries, focusing on developing emerging economic industries such as biopharmaceuticals, microelectronics, software, and environmental governance, and new core businesses and leading industries have gradually come into shape.
Nanjing and Birmingham established sister city relationship in July 2022. The two cities have cooperated in such areas as new energy vehicles, biopharmaceuticals. Birmingham has conducted in-depth scientific research cooperation with Southeast University, Nanjing University, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics and other universities.
