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On April 17, President Nie Hong of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics in China visited Tohoku University to meet with President Hideo Ohno, and together they renewed the universities' academic exchange agreement.

The exchange agreement between Tohoku University and Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics was first concluded in 2003. Both universities have been closely interacting over the years, especially in fluid science, culminating in an agreement last November to establish an international joint laboratory in this field.

Professor Qiu Jinhao, who was present at the signing ceremony, worked as a faculty member at Tohoku University's Institute of Fluid Science for about 15 years, during which time he also received his doctorate.

President Ohno said at the signing ceremony, "I am very pleased that Tohoku University alumni continue to act as international intermediaries, even after leaving the university. I hope to see the further development of talented individuals who will, in the future, act as intermediaries between Japan and China."

President Nie also expressed his hopes for an increase in the number of exchanges between the two universities in the future.

"I deeply believe that our visit today will strengthen the cooperation between our two universities in many aspects and lay a solid foundation for promoting higher-level international cooperation," he said.

After the signing ceremony, the visiting delegation stopped by the Tohoku University Archives to examine exhibits relating to Chinese writer Lu Xun's time in Sendai. They also visited the lecture hall where he studied.

President Nie then had a brief tour of the Institute of Fluid Science and the Graduate School of Engineering, and was introduced to the research being carried out in each.

Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics was founded in 1952 as Nanjing College of Aviation Industry. It has since evolved into a comprehensive university, and although aeronautical engineering has remained its greatest strength since its establishment, it also boasts, among others, a college of humanities and social sciences.

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