On December 7, 2023, Richard Follett, Vice President of the University of Exeter, and Li Li, Assistant Vice President of the University of Exeter, paid a visit to the School of Foreign Languages (SFL), Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU). Xu Weiping, Deputy Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchanges, Li Chengjian, Party Secretary of SFL, Yu Senlin, Dean of SFL, Yang Anwen, Associate Dean of SFL, and Zeng Xiangmin, Director of the English Department received the guests.

Professor Li Chengjian first expressed welcome to distinguished guests from England and willingness for future cooperation. Professor Yu Senlin then introduced the SFL’s history, faculty, departments, social services, international exchanges, and student activities, and offered an outline of the path of cooperation between two sides.

Professor Follett showed gratitude for the warm welcome and highlighted the possibility of cooperation between two sides. Professor Li Li gave an introduction to the University of Exeter, especially the development of its three departments, and proposed potential plans of teaming up in some fields, including building joint programs of BA in English and communication, promoting academic visits of teachers from two sides, and cooperating in scientific research.

The two sides had in-depth discussions on the joint projects and reached a broad consensus on promoting further multilevel communication and cooperation. Before the exchange meeting, Professor Follett had visited the Southwest Jiaotong University-Lan-Bridge Translation Center.