Soochow University Participates in China-Ireland Transnational Education Showcase Event

BEIJING, China – On January 6, 2026, Soochow University President Zhang Qiao attended the China-IrelandTransnational Education Showcase Event in Beijing. The event was hosted by Irish Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, during his official 2026 visit to China.

The gathering brought together Irish Ambassador to China Nicholas O'Brien, President of the China Education Association for International Exchange Liu Limin, Chinese Ambassador to Ireland Zhao Xiyuan, and representatives from over 20 higher education institutions from both countries.

In his address, Taoiseach Martin emphasized that education is central to cultural exchanges and economic relations between Ireland and China. He noted that Ireland’s higher education system enjoys a strong reputation in science, technology, and engineering, distinguished by unique industry-academia partnerships with global leading enterprises that cultivate graduates with strong industry relevance and employability.

Ambassador O’Leary highlighted that the past decade has witnessed remarkable growth in China-Ireland education cooperation, especially in joint academic programs. China is now the third-largest source market for international students in Irish higher education institutions. He noted that cooperative education provides a valuable platform for cultural exchange between the two nations, and extended warm congratulations to the three new joint institutions, including the International College of Pharmaceutical Innovation established by Soochow University and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).

Prof. Brian Kirby, Dean of the International College of Pharmaceutical Innovation, introduced the college’s educational model during the event. He remarked that Ireland is recognized as the “Silicon Valley” of the global pharmaceutical industry, while Suzhou is known as China’s “Pharmaceutical Valley.” The establishment of the college, he said, creates an important bridge for cooperation between the two countries’ biopharmaceutical sectors. The college will integrate the strengths of both institutions, leverage the industrial cluster represented by the Suzhou BioBay, and contribute to global healthcare needs and challenges through cutting-edge research.

Prof. Zhong Zhiyuan, Dean of the International College of Pharmaceutical Innovation, remarked that public health, medical services, and the health industry are vital components of national development strategies. The college’s establishment aligns closely with national and regional development priorities. As the first international cooperative education institution in China dedicated specifically to the pharmaceutical sciences, approved by the Ministry of Education, the college upholds the philosophy of advancing interdisciplinary integration and is committed to cultivating versatile talents who are proficient in scientific frontiers, grounded in industry dynamics, and possess a global perspective.

Soochow University will continue to pursue its international development strategy, promoting cooperative education and diverse exchange initiatives with world-renowned universities in areas of academic strength. The university looks forward to working with its international partners to bring more high-level collaborative projects to fruition, contributing to the advancement of education and scientific research in both countries.