On November 17, 2025, Professor Chen Xiangsheng, Dean of the College of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Shenzhen University (SZU) and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and Professor Geoffrey Holmes, Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Division of STEM, University of Waikato, signed the Cooperation Agreement on the Joint Laboratory for Sustainable Development between SZU and the University of Waikato on behalf of their respective universities. This collaboration aims to advance scientific research and cutting-edge technology development in multiple fields, including environmental engineering and science, mechanisms and remediation of soil and water degradation, and other ecological and environmental sustainability sectors, as well as marine, deep geothermal, and solar energy utilization, intelligent construction, future human-machine engineering, and smart transportation. The joint laboratory will serve as a high-level platform for international research collaboration and internationalized talent development.
Chao Naipeng, Vice President of SZU, met with the delegation and witnessed the signing ceremony. Both sides exchanged views on the new challenges and opportunities facing higher education in the era of artificial intelligence and agreed to use this agreement as a foundation to deepen cooperation in talent cultivation, scientific research, and the transformation of research outcomes into practical applications. The meeting and signing ceremony were also attended by representatives from the China Joint Education Development Office of the University of Waikato, as well as representatives from the International Office, College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, and School of Artificial Intelligence of SZU.
New Zealand was the first Western developed country to sign a cooperation agreement with China to strengthen collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative. Established in 1964, the University of Waikato is one of eight government-funded public universities in New Zealand. It enrolls over 12,500 students, including more than 2,200 international students from over 70 countries. The university is highly regarded in fields such as management, law, computer science, natural sciences, and education. It has established multiple joint educational programs and institutions in cooperation with Chinese universities and colleges. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, the University of Waikato is ranked 281st globally, with 13 subjects ranked among the world's top 300 (top 1%).
In June of this year, a delegation from SZU visited the University of Waikato upon invitation. During the visit, both sides reached a preliminary cooperation intent to establish a joint laboratory in the field of sustainable development.
