EU Delegation to China Hosts Academic Mixer in Guangzhou

EU Delegation to China Hosts Academic Mixer in Guangzhou

The Delegation of the European Union to China hosted its latest "Academic Mixer" event in Guangzhou, bringing together Chinese and European scholars for an evening of dialogue, and networking aimed at supporting academic exchange and long-term, people-to-people connectivity.

The session opened with welcome remarks from Mr. Michal Skrzek, Head of the Political, Press and Information Section at the EU Delegation to China, who emphasised the importance of academic exchange as a pillar of EU-China dialogue and cooperation.

The keynote presentation, "How International Collaboration Drives Environmental Innovation: The ECOLAND Experience," was delivered by Dr. Emmeline D'Incau, Post-Doctoral Researcher at Sun Yat-Sen University. Drawing on ECOLAND's work and her own research trajectory between Europe and China, Dr. D'Incau highlighted the transformative role of cross-border partnerships in accelerating environmental science and sustainable development.

A panel discussion followed, featuring Dr. D'Incau alongside Dr. Khaoula Houssini, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Tsinghua University. Moderated by Mr. Karlis Rokpelnis, EURAXESS China Country Representative, the conversation explored the evolving research landscape in China and practical insights into navigating international academic environments.

Dr. Houssini shared her perspectives on sustainability research and industrial decarbonisation, reflecting on her academic journey across Europe and China. Both speakers underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and intercultural understanding in today's global scientific ecosystem.

The panel was followed by an open Q&A, offering participants the opportunity to engage directly with speakers and exchange reflections on research careers and collaboration.

The evening concluded with an informal networking session, where attendees connected with peers across institutions, disciplines, and national backgrounds.

The Academic Mixer in Guangzhou is a public and cultural outreach activity of the EU Delegation to China, supported by the EU's Foreign Policy Instruments Service (FPI). It stands alongside a broader series of EU initiatives promoting academic and scientific cooperation.