Chinese Consul General Zhang Biao visited Forth Valley College on a fact-finding mission last week (28/03/25).
The visit followed on from the College signing an MOU with Zhongyuan University of Technology (ZUT), after a representative visited FVC in February. A request from ZUT has now been received where the College will be providing guest lectures to the university in China in June.
College Principal Kenny MacInnes, Colin McMurray, FVC’s Vice Principal of Business and Innovation and Jamie Allan, FVC’s Global Partnership Manager, welcomed Mr Biao to the Falkirk Campus, where they held a productive mid-morning meeting focusing on, amongst other things, opportunities for student and staff exchange visits to and from China, links with Chinese businesses based in Scotland and China, and degree pathway programmes, before embarking on a tour of the world leading facilities.
Then it was on to the Stirling Campus, where the Consul General and his Deputy enjoyed a delicious lunch with Forth Valley Board of Management Chair Dr Abhishek Agarwal at the award-winning Gallery training restaurant, before further informative discussions and a tour of the campus.
Consul General, Zhang Biao, said: “I am extremely delighted to have the chance to visit Forth Valley College and enjoy the productive and rewarding talks with Principal Maclnnes, Vice Principal McMurray and Chairman Agarwal. This is a great opportunity to learn about college education in Scotland.
“It is an important juncture where vocational education and higher education meet, to which China also attaches great importance. I believe that this sector could also act an important role in our bilateral cooperation in education. The Consulate General will be happy to provide support and assistance.”
Kenny MacInnes, said: “We were honoured to welcome Consul General Biao to Forth Valley College. This visit was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our flexible, world-class facilities and discuss the exciting potential for collaboration with Chinese education, industry and business.
“Working in partnership with countries such as China not only strengthens international ties, but also supports the Scottish Government’s strategy for fostering innovation and driving economic growth through new technologies. We look forward to building on this relationship and exploring joint initiatives that benefit both Scotland and China.”
Jamie Allan, FVC’s Global Partnerships Manager, added: “I was honoured that the Consul General accepted my invitation to visit FVC and this occasion marks the second Consular visit I’ve arranged following the German Consul General coming in November last year.
“The visit was highly productive and sparked many ideas between both parties for closer cooperation with China, a country which the College has previously engaged with for over a decade.
“China, like Scotland, is a country which highly values quality education and they know how attractive studying in Scotland is for their students. Making more people aware of our world-class facilities, teaching quality and educational pathways provides immense benefits to FVC’s position as a top choice in the world for students to study in, and for industry to partner with.
“It is hoped that more opportunities for staff, students and the College could materialise in the coming weeks and months, cemented by our guest lecture visit to ZUT in June, and I look forward to developing this key relationship.”
