Chinese university leads collaboration with Brazil in sci-tech and education

A delegation from the China University of Petroleum, Beijing (CUPB) recently visited Brazil to engage in forums and foster cooperation with local universities in scientific innovation and higher education, a significant move in line with the Belt and Road Initiative.

Led by Jin Yan, president of CUPB, the delegation achieved important outcomes in building international platforms, research collaboration, and high-level talent cultivation during their visit from Dec 7 to 12.

Jointly established by China National Offshore Oil Corporation, Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras), the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and CUPB, the China-Brazil Science Technology and Innovation Center was officially registered and launched in Rio de Janeiro on Dec 8, local time.

Over 200 representatives from government, industry, academia and research, including Chinese Consul General in Rio de Janeiro Tian Min, CNOOC Vice-President Yu Jin, Petrobras Vice-Chair Sylvia Anchies, and UFRJ President Roberto Medronho, attended the launch ceremony.

In her address, Consul General Tian stated that the establishment of the center marks a new stage of institutionalized and substantive development for China-Brazil sci-tech cooperation.

Jin pointed out that the center will focus on areas such as marine engineering, deepwater oil and gas development, carbon emission reduction, and green energy transition. It aims to integrate the advantageous scientific research resources of both countries to jointly tackle core technological challenges, providing a "China-Brazil solution" for cost reduction and efficiency improvement in global deepwater oil and gas development.

Hosted by Petrobras and co-organized by CNOOC, UFRJ and CUPB, the second "China-Brazil Science Technology and Innovation Forum" was held from Dec 8 to 10, with the theme "Focusing on Technological and Industrial Innovation, Promoting Pragmatic and Win-Win Cooperation between China and Brazil".

Over 150 representatives from government bodies, energy enterprises, universities, and research institutions of both countries engaged in in-depth discussions on topics including artificial intelligence, new energy, deepwater equipment technology and engineering education.

Jin delivered a keynote report at the main forum, systematically introducing the university's experience in industry-academia collaboration and its achievements in international cooperation within the energy technology sector.

On the afternoon of Dec 9, CUPB hosted the inaugural China-Brazil Engineering Education Forum, bringing together Chinese Embassy Education Counsellor Chen Mo, CUPB President Jin Yan, UFRJ President Roberto Medronho, as well as faculty and student representatives from both universities.

In his opening remarks, Jin emphasized that talent cultivation is the core driving force for China-Brazil sci-tech innovation cooperation. During the forum, a ceremony was held to appoint professors to the China-Brazil Institute of Outstanding Engineers.

The delegation also held a symposium with student representatives to discuss ways to further optimize the talent cultivation mechanisms and enhance the quality of international training programs.