With funding from the ACTIVE project team, the Australian sports science delegation recently visited five universities in China. The delegation visited the University of Macau, Macau Polytechnic University, Southwest University, Wuhan Sport University, and Shanghai University of Sport, and carried out a series of academic exchanges and visits. The Australian Sports Science delegation included Professor John Price, Dr Jujiao Kuang, and Dr Jia Li from Victoria University, Professor Olivier Girard from the University of Western Australia, Professor Nir Eynon from Monash University, and Associate Professor Deanne Skelly from Griffith University.
On October 8, the Australian Sports Science delegation visited the University of Macau and held an exchange meeting. Dean Professor Lianghuo Fan, Vice Dean (Teaching) Professor Zhaowei Kong, Vice Dean (Research) Professor Mingming Zhou, Director of Education Postgraduate Program Professor Barry Lee REYNOLDS, and Professor Simin Li warmly welcomed the delegation.
At the exchange meeting, Dean Price introduced the vision, curriculum structure, and scientific research achievements of Victoria University; Professor Eynon explained some research projects of Monash University. Dr. Kuang mainly introduced cooperative training projects between Australia and China in the field of sports and exercise. After the meeting, the delegation also visited the classrooms, scientific laboratories, and research centers of the School of Education.
On October 9, the Australian sports science delegation visited the Macau Polytechnic University.
On the morning of October 10, the Australian Sports Science Delegation came to Chongqing to visit the School of Physical Education of Southwest University and held a symposium. The participants from the School of Physical Education included Dean Xiaoling Huang, Vice Deans Zheng Liu, Jun Lang, Lei Wang, Associate Professor Jia Li and Foreign Affairs Secretary Zhongyu Ren. The symposium was hosted by Vice Dean of the School of Physical Education Jun Lang.
Scholars from the Australian delegation introduced the basic situation of their respective universities, as well as the situation in molecular research related to healthy aging and exercise, research in exercise physiology, and molecular biology research on cancer.
(Symposium, 2024.10.10)
Finally, the scholars gave special lectures and interacted with the graduate students on site.
On the morning of October 14, the Australian delegation of scholars came to the Wuhan Sports University for a visit and exchange. Professor Zhiqiang Wang, Vice President of the school, led the leadership team of the International Exchange Office, the School of Sports Medicine, the Graduate School, and the Research Office to warmly welcome the delegation. The academic conference was chaired by Dr. Du Geng, Director of the International Exchange Office of the school, and attended by Professor Xiangfei Wang, Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication, Zhenwei Shen, Deputy Director of the International Exchange Office, Chan Feng, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Journalism and Communication, and representatives of teachers and students.
Professor John Price, Professor Olivier Girard, and Associate Professor Deanne Skelly each provided in-depth introductions to their respective universities, covering campus scenery, educational strengths, academic programs, research projects, and admissions policies. They also shared information on international student support services and campus life at Australian universities, offering students a well-rounded overview of study abroad opportunities. Dr. Jujiao Kuang from Victoria University in Australia provided students with a detailed overview of the “China-Australia International Cooperation Training Program in Sports and Athletics,” including its background, domestic partnerships, and application process.
During the final interactive session, students asked questions on topics such as the study abroad application process, course selection, and internship opportunities, engaging in face-to-face exchanges with the visiting scholars. The three professors provided detailed responses to each question.
From October 16 to 17, Australian scholars John Price, Olivier Girard, Jujiao Kuang, Jia Li visited Shanghai University of Sport. Dean of the School of Sports and Health Ru Wang, Vice Dean Fang Yan, Vice Dean of the School of Competitive Sports Yongming Li, and Deputy Director of the International Exchange Office Zhe Zhang held symposium with the experts.
At the symposium, the delegations introduced their respective research fields and the profile of their schools. Professor Price said that the University of Victoria attaches great importance to scientific research cooperation and actively promotes mutual visits between teachers and students. Professor Girard focuses on research in the field of exercise physiology and has jointly trained several outstanding sports talents with Shanghai Sports University. The parties mainly exchanged in-depth views on international exchanges and cooperation in scientific research and talent training in sports science, hoping to create high-quality international joint scientific research projects based on the friendship established in the early stage and vigorously cultivate sports talents with international competitiveness.
(Professor John Price meets with President Tang of Shanghai University of sport)
（Meeting with the International Affairs Office of Shanghai University of sport）
(Lecture at the School of Sports and Health)
To further understand the characteristics and advantages of the two colleges, the delegation, accompanied by Yongming Li and Fang Yan, visited the Sports Performance Research Center and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Sports and Public Health and exchanged views on experimental equipment and related research directions.
(Visiting the School of Competitive Sports and the School of Sports and Health)
Experts from the delegation were invited to attend a salon event held in the atrium of the School of Competitive Sports, where they gathered with participating teachers and students to engage in special exchanges and discussions.
In the smart classroom of the Science Museum of the School of Sports and Health, Dr. Jujiao Kuang also introduced the research cooperation project of ACTIVE to teachers and students. Professor John Price introduced the overview of Victoria University. Professor Olivier Girard gave a special academic lecture Latest Altitude Training Advancements for Peak Performance and explained and answered questions about academic research content and future cooperation projects between the two universities. The atmosphere was lively.
On the morning of October 18, the Australian delegation went to the Australian Consulate General in Shanghai and reported to the Consul General on the progress of the ACTIVE project in China.
Finally, Jia Li and Professor Olivier Girard of the delegation represented the project team to support the China-Australia Youth Federation held by the Australia-China Foundation in Shanghai. The atmosphere was lively and the event went smoothly.
On October 19, the Australian Sports Science Delegation successfully concluded its visit to five Chinese universities. This visit not only deepened the exchanges and cooperation between China and Australia in sports science but also laid a solid foundation for future joint research.