By Rachel Mok

Dr. Andrew D. Hamilton, Vice Chancellor of University of Oxford, visited Tsinghua University on April 15 and delivered a speech entitled "World Class Universities in the 21st Century” in the Tsinghua Global Vision Lectures Series. He greeted the audience by praising how enormous and fascinating the campus the Tsinghua University, as it was his first ever visit to the institute.

Dr. Hamilton, who has taught as a chemistry professor in prestigious education institutions including Yale and Princeton University in United States of America before returning to the UK in 2009, highlighted the four essential elements that define a world-class university in the 21st century. The first being outstanding people, of which a university must recruit and retain professors not only constantly push the boundaries of their academic fields, but also seek to inspire and provoke their fellow students.

The vice chancellor also stressed the importance of research excellence that possesses an open international outlook on research and committed to work and tackle challenges with the best people in universities internationally. Equally important are the commitment to provide high quality education to its students and a substantial funding for the school’s development, which also promises an excellent access of resources for all students regardless of their background.

The Vice Chancellor also visited the Department of Chemistry and School of Medicine during his stay in Tsinghua University, and met with Tsinghua University Council Chairman Hu Heping prior to the speech in the morning. Hu gave a brief introduction of Tsinghua University to the Chancellor and the two hoped more collaboration will be built between the two universities in the near future.

(Photo by Guo Haijun)