News Release (Text/Photo by Wang Qingli) On September 8, 2025, at the invitation of Claire Aindow, the Pro Vice Chancellor for Growth and Development at the University of Cumbria (UoC), and Professor Yanguo Jing, Dean at the University of Cumbria, a delegation from Jingdezhen Ceramic University(JCU), led by Mr. Lü Pinchang, Deputy Party Secretary and Vice President (Acting President), visited the University of Cumbria to engage in in-depth discussions on international cooperation. The visit aimed to enhance collaboration between the two universities in talent cultivation, scientific research, and cultural exchange, furthering mutual visits and joint development. This initiative not only reflects JCU’s commitment to serving the mission of building the National Ceramic Culture Inheritance and Innovation Pilot Zone in Jingdezhen but also sets an example of Sino-British cultural cooperation. The delegation was joined by Ms. Wang Qingli, Deputy Director of the Office of Science and Technology, and Professor Liu Lejun from the School of Design and Art.
Delegation members and UoC representatives in front of the Institute of the Arts building
Mr. Lü Pinchang, Deputy Party Secretary and Vice President (Acting President) of JCU, introducing Jingdezhen Ceramic University at the meeting
The University of Cumbria (UoC) is a distinctive public university with deep historical roots dating back to 1822. It was officially formed in 2007 through the merger of St Martin’s College, Cumbria Institute of the Arts, and the University of Central Lancashire’s Cumbria sites. Today, it operates six campuses across Ambleside, Carlisle (Brampton Road and Fusehill Street), Lancaster, London, and Barrow.UoCcomprises five faculties: Institute of the Arts, Institute of Science, Natural Resources and Outdoor Studies, Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership, Institute of Health, and Institute of Education. The university has around 15,000 students and ranked eighth globally in the 2025Times Higher EducationImpact Rankings, with a graduate employment rate of 96%.
Dr. Jonathan Eaton, Pro Vice-Chancellor of UoC, presenting the university’s profile at the meeting
On the morning of the visit, the JCU delegation was warmly received by Professor Zulfiqur Ali (Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange), Dr. Jonathan Eaton (Pro Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Teaching), Professor Yanguo Jing (Dean of the Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership), Dr. Kate Dixon(Deputy Director of the Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership), Dr. Ruth Palmer-Harrison (Dean of the Institute of Education, Arts and Society), Ms. Annie Brunt (Director of International Office), Ms. Karen Jones (Development Manager of the Institute of Education, Arts and Society), and Ms. Xiaohong Yang-Stringer (Regional Manager for Asia).
During the meeting, Mr. Lü Pinchang introduced the history, academic strengths, and international achievements of Jingdezhen Ceramic University. He highlighted that JCU is the only multi-disciplinary university in China named after ceramics, with a complete training system from undergraduate to doctoral levels. As a leader in ceramic art education, research, and creation, the university has also established partnerships with universities across the globe. Lü emphasized JCU’s dedication to preserving and promoting ceramic culture, internationalizing ceramic education and industry, and hoped that cooperation with UoC would achieve complementary strengths, jointly cultivating talents with global vision and innovative capacity.
Professor Yanguo Jing, Dean of the Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership, University of Cumbria, chairing the meeting
Dr. Jonathan Eaton, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Learning and Teaching, presented UoC’s disciplinary strengths and its strategy for international collaboration. He stressed the university’s emphasis on practice-based learning and innovation, with strong resources in the arts, education, and business. He expressed hopes to deepen cooperation with JCU in fields such as art and design, intelligent equipment, computing, cultural industries, and international leadership training. Professor Zulfiqur Ali, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, also praised JCU’s longstanding tradition of innovation and expressed strong interest in developing collaborative projects that could yield mutual benefits.
JCU delegation holding in-depth discussions with Dr. Ruth Palmer-Harrison, Dean of the Institute of Education, Arts and Society, University of Cumbria
The two universities reached consensus on initiating student exchange programs and faculty visits. They also discussed potential collaboration in academic resource sharing, joint conferences, and talent development, aiming to further strengthen academic exchange and international cooperation.
The delegation also toured UoC’s facilities, including the Institute of the Arts and the Institute of Business, where they interacted with faculty and students. At the Institute of the Arts, the delegation held in-depth discussions with Dr. Ruth Palmer-Harrison (Dean of the Institute of Education, Arts and Society) on talent cultivation, participation in the Jingdezhen International Ceramic Art Biennale, and student exchange programs. Both sides shared experiences and practices, laying a solid foundation for future cooperation.
Representatives exchanging gifts in the meeting room of the University of Cumbria’s Institute of Education, Arts and Society
This visit to the University of Cumbria represents a significant step in JCU’s internationalization strategy, enhancing its global influence while promoting discipline development and talent cultivation. Looking ahead, both universities will refine cooperation plans, implement joint projects, and create new prospects for international academic exchange. With concerted efforts, the partnership between JCU and UoC is expected to bear fruitful outcomes, contribute to cultivating globally competitive talents, and advance the development of education worldwide.
