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University of Sussex deepens strategic partnership with UIBE following high-level Beijing visit
By: Serena Mitchell
Last updated: Monday, 6 July 2026
Sussex delegation with UIBE hosts
signing of a new institutional cooperation agreement
Vice Chancellor Professor Sasha Roseneil and Mr Huang Baoyin, Chair of the University Council, UIBE
The University of Sussex has further strengthened its strategic partnership with the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) following a high-level visit to Beijing in June 2026 led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Sasha Roseneil.
During the visit, Professor Roseneil met with senior UIBE leadership, including Mr Huang Baoyin, Chair of the University Council, UIBE, and Professor Zhao Zhongxiu, President of UIBE, as well as members of the Joint Institute founding team, including Professor Tianyi Wang from the China School of Banking and Finance, and other senior representatives.
The discussions reaffirmed both universities’ commitment to advancing their flagship joint education initiative, including the proposed Joint Institute. Both sides emphasised the importance of delivering innovative, high-quality transnational education models that respond to global shifts in digitalisation, sustainability, and talent development.
Mr Huang welcomed the Sussex delegation and highlighted the sustained and strategic engagement between the two institutions. Professor Roseneil expressed her appreciation for the warm reception and reiterated the University of Sussex’s commitment to deepening collaboration across teaching, research, and institutional development.
During the visit, delegates signed a new institutional cooperation agreement, marking further progress in the establishment of the Joint Institute.
The discussions also focused on shared strategic priorities in emerging areas, including digital finance, financial technology, artificial intelligence, data science, and the digital economy. Both universities highlighted the importance of integrating AI-enabled education, research innovation, and modern governance approaches to support future-facing academic development.
The Sussex delegation also engaged with senior representatives from UIBE’s key academic units, including the China School of Banking and Finance, the School of Economics, and the School of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, reflecting the interdisciplinary scope and institutional breadth of the partnership.
Professor Roseneil highlighted Sussex’s strong commitment to innovation in higher education and emphasised the strategic opportunities to strengthen joint research capabilities, deepen research collaboration, and advance integrated research and education through the development of the Joint Institute initiative. The delegation visited several of UIBE’s academic and research facilities, including the university history museum, economics and trade museum, library, and digital economy laboratories.
The visit was accompanied by senior representatives from the University of Sussex Business School, including Dr Xiaoxiang Zhang, Associate Dean (Global and Civic Engagement), University of Sussex Business School, and Gemma Proudley, Associate Director of TNE and Global Engagement.
Both universities expressed confidence that the strengthened partnership will continue to deliver impactful outcomes in education, research, and global engagement, contributing to the development of innovative, internationally competitive talent.