SBS and SWUFE sign a Memorandum of Understanding
Strathclyde Business School and Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SWUFE) have entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to investigate areas of mutual interest in business, management and finance education.
SWUFE is a top university in China specialising in finance, economics, and business and known for its entrepreneurial character. Established in 1925, the prestigious financial research and teaching institute is located in the city of Chengdu, an international finance hub.
Strathclyde Business School (SBS) was delighted to host the delegation from SWUFE, headed up by Professor Li Zhisheng, Vice President of SWUFE. The group was invited to SBS to find out more about the business school and wider university.
Accompanying Professor Li Zhisheng were: Wang Yeting, Director, Office of International Exchange and Cooperation; Luo Ronghua, Dean, School of Finance & Institute of Chinese Financial Studies; Zou Hong, Dean, School of Economics; and Zuo Jinglin Section Chief, Office of International Exchange and Cooperation
Together, the team from SBS and the SWUFE delegation discussed opportunities to strengthen the relationship between the two institutions. Areas discussed included education programme collaboration, academics staff exchange and joint academic conferences amongst other areas.
The group was given a tour of the Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC), visiting some of the labs and leading research centres based there, followed by a short campus tour. The delegation concluded their tour at SBS for a networking lunch with academic staff from the Department of Accounting and Finance. The group was welcomed to SBS by Professor Andrew Marshall, Vice Dean Global Engagement, supported by Professor Susan Howick, Vice Dean Academic; Professor John Quigley, Vice Dean Research; and Professor Graeme Acheson, Head of Accounting and Finance.
SBS then showcased the Accounting and Finance and Management Science departments as well as SBS’s research overall to the SWUFE team. The delegates were also given an overview of the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab (FRIL) by Professor Mark Cummins. Discussions focussed on how the two institutions can collaborate and the synergy between both institutions on our teaching expertise, research and capacity around advanced technologies, specifically FinTech.
University of Strathclyde Principal Professor Stephen McArthur joined the group to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with Vice President Li (pictured) and they exchanged gifts, before Strathclyde Business School Executive Dean Professor David Hillier hosted the group in the evening.
Professor McArthur said, "We were honoured to host the delegation from SWUFE and welcome them to the University of Strathclyde, allowing us to showcase the strengths of our University and business school.
"This was an important and valuable visit in building our relationship, particularly between Strathclyde Business School and the School of Finance at SWUFE. It provided us with the opportunity to further explore plans and move forward with a clear shared vision of our potential partnership in the future.
"We look forward to continuing our relationship and exploring the proposed joint programmes between our two institutions, which could create transformative educational opportunities for future students at both Strathclyde and SWUFE."
Professor Hillier added, “It was a great pleasure to welcome the delegation from SWUFE, a renowned university which specialises in finance, economics, business and entrepreneurship and, with strong business and industry links, has a similar synergy as Strathclyde. We enjoyed positive discussions on future collaboration between SWUFE and Strathclyde Business School with regard to a number of joint programmes.
“We were honoured to meet with the team who have such enthusiasm for working together and we look forward to continuing our discussions in the future.”
Vice President Li said, “I sincerely hope that our two universities will move forward with the greatest commitment and efficiency to launch these joint programmes. It is our aspiration that this partnership will become a model of UK-China higher education collaboration, cultivating innovative talents with global perspectives.”
Published: 19 March 2026
