Suzhou delegation visit strengthens research, innovation and alumni ties

The 2019 partnership between the management committee of the Suzhou Industrial Park and Massey University to create the Massey University (China) Education and Innovation Center, was renewed in 2023.

The visiting delegation included Gu Haidong, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Suzhou Municipal Committee, Executive Vice Mayor of Suzhou and Vice Chairman of the CPPCC Suzhou Municipal Committee; He Ning, Deputy Director of the Suzhou Municipal Development and Reform Commission; Zhang Minglin, Director of the Suzhou Municipal Health Commission; Liao Ximing, Deputy Director of the Suzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, along with senior officials from related departments.

Deputy Mayor Gu praised Massey University as one of the first New Zealand universities to initiate educational cooperation between China and New Zealand.

“Since its inception, the Massey University (China) Education and Innovation Center has consistently leveraged the strengths of both China and New Zealand to build a bridge of mutual empowerment. For this visit, we hope to deepen cooperation and jointly promote development.”

Deputy Mayor Gu also introduced Suzhou’s quarterly AI competitions and its support for OPC (One Person Company) initiatives, inviting Massey staff and students to take part in regional competitions and International Elite Week activities. He expressed strong interest in growing collaborative research between Suzhou and Massey’s colleges.

Massey’s University’s Executive Director Global Engagement Christopher Carey who hosted the 13-member delegation at the Auckland campus spoke about the strength of Massey’s Chinese alumni community and the opportunities to better connect graduates with industry partners in Suzhou.

He says Massey’s Chinese alumni is one of the university’s strongest alumni groups.

“We very much look forward to connecting our alumni with the Suzhou Industrial Park and your team to provide opportunities for those students – not just students we have with us now, but creating networks of our past alumni as well.”

Massey’s Alumni Relations Manager Danette Whitehouse said the visit aligned closely with Massey’s focus on building lifelong relationships with its graduates.

“We want to build lifelong connections with our alumni and the wonderful opportunities that the delegation has talked about.”

She also noted that 2027 will mark Massey University’s centenary.

“2027 marks 100 Years of Massey University, and we are looking at opportunities for unique celebration events. We are very lucky to have an extremely strong Massey China alumni chapter, with excellent leadership and wonderful initiatives. I’m looking forward to working with them towards a potential celebration event in 2027.”