On March 15, Irish Minister of Statewith responsibility for the Office of Public works and Flood Relief, Mr.Sean Canney,Ambassador ofIreland,H. E. Mr. Paul Kavanaghled a delegation to NanjingTech.

President Huang Wei said during the meeting that Ireland boasts a time-honored advanced higher education system, to further promote the cooperation in culture, education, science and technology is a driving force for development as well as a realistic need for both countries. The cooperation relation between NanjingTech and theInstitute of Technology Tallaght(ITT) has proven successful and it is high time that the two universities promote this relation to a higher level.

State Minister Canney said that Irish government fully supports cooperation between Irish universities and their Chinese counterparts. Ambassador Paul Kavanagh added that Ireland and China hascommon groundon education and innovation. He expected to see more ties developed between NanjingTech and Irish universities. Ms. Therese Healy, Consul General of Ireland to Shanghai, mentioned in particular that Irish universities enjoy the highest ranking in terms of oversea student satisfaction and Irish visa policy is also favorable to students from China.

The delegation was also briefed about the development in talent train and research of NanjingTech. In the end, President Thomas Stone of ITT shared his vision in future collaboration with NanjingTech in expanded areas at a higher level before the delegation went on to join the students on the university’s annual "Irish Day".