A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on September 5th, 2023 by the President of the Foundation for Research and Technology- Hellas (FORTH), Prof. Nektarios Tavernarakis and the Dean of the School of Science of Xi’an Jiaotong- Liverpool University (XJTLU), China, Prof. John Moraros, at the headquarters of XJTLU in Suzhou, China.

FORTH is the premier multidisciplinary research institution in Greece, with 10 research Institutes and a presence in 8 cities of the country. It conducts internationally competitive research, with significant contributions in research areas that are driving the new era of the 4^th Industrial Revolution such as nanotechnology, genetic engineering, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

XJTLU is an outstanding and dynamic new academic institution that already enjoys the reputation of an internationally recognized University. The School of Science, in particular, hosts exceptional, internationally competitive research teams, conducting high quality research, and has created an environment that fosters excellence in research and training.

The joint strategic plan of the two Institutions is to maintain excellence and further expand into exciting new areas of research. Focusing on the common interest in the field of higher education, the cooperation between the two institutions aims to explore mutually beneficial collaboration opportunities and to strengthen their international dynamics. The means to achieve these objectives will include support for mobility and exchange of students and scientists, as well as cooperation in research projects for innovation and addressing challenges of common interest. The two institutions aspire to strengthen their position in the global research community, and to become popular destinations for scientists from abroad. They also aspire to attract more foreign investments, with a view to launch new research activities and collaborations.

The President of FORTH, Prof. Nektarios Tavernarakis, stated: “Promoting intercontinental academic and research collaboration is critical to address unpredictable global challenges that require the coordinated efforts of scientific communities around the world, having as a recent example the COVID-19 pandemic. The collaboration between FORTH and XJTLU responds precisely to this overall strategy, facilitating the mobility of students and academic staff between China and Europe, and supporting joint educational and research initiatives. I am confident that the collaboration between the two Institutions will further contribute to the promotion of cutting-edge research in terms of scientific excellence, and will form the basis for a long-term and fruitful cooperation.”