On the morning of December 11, 2023, Rodrigo Arim, President of the University of the Republic of Uruguay, visited our university. Hu Jinyan, Secretary of the Party Committee, attended the meeting and held discussions. Sebastián Bandera, Second Secretary and Consul of the Embassy of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay, Zhen Zhu, Deputy Director of the Qingdao Municipal Government Foreign Affairs Office, and Li Ronggui, Vice President of Qingdao University, participated in the talks. The meeting and signing unveiling ceremony were presided over by Li Jun, a member of the Party Committee Standing Committee and Vice President of Qingdao University.

Hu Jinyan warmly welcomed the visit of Rodrigo Arim and his delegation, congratulated the University of the Republic of Uruguay’s football team on winning third place in the Jinjiang 2023 International University Football World Cup, and thanked them for the warm reception he received during his visit to the University of the Republic of Uruguay in October. He stated that this year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Uruguay, with the heads of both states announcing the elevation of Sino-Uruguayan relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, signifying a new historical phase for bilateral relations. The friendship and cooperation between the University of the Republic of Uruguay and Qingdao University have been continuously upgraded and deepened. On this day, the two universities signed an agreement to jointly establish the "Joint Sino-Uruguayan Bio-Nanopharmaceutical Laboratory" and unveiled the Joint Laboratory and the "China-Uruguay Research Center." This represents another fruitful collaboration following the joint establishment of the Confucius Institute and is a concrete practice of implementing the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. He emphasized that looking ahead, the two universities will continue to work together and advance side by side to make greater contributions to the deepening of the Sino-Uruguayan comprehensive strategic partnership.

Rodrigo Arim expressed his gratitude for the warm reception at Qingdao University. He mentioned that the joint establishment of the Confucius Institute has laid a solid foundation for cooperation between the two universities. Arim thanked the two Chinese Deans from Qingdao University for their outstanding efforts and excellent work. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the exchanges and cooperation between the universities have been maintained. President Lacalle's successful visit to China has elevated Uruguay-China relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, creating more opportunities for educational and academic exchanges between the two countries. Arim highlighted that Qingdao University is the most important destination during his visit to China, and the University of the Republic of Uruguay values its collaboration with Qingdao University. He hopes to deepen the cooperative relationship between the two universities and enhance their international competitiveness through the joint establishment of the laboratory and research center.

On behalf of the Qingdao Foreign Affairs Office, Zhen Zhu delivered a speech expressing gratitude to the University of the Republic of Uruguay for its strong support of the friendly exchanges between Qingdao and Montevideo. She also briefly introduced the basic situation of Qingdao. She hopes that President Arim’s visit will strengthen exchanges between the University of the Republic of Uruguay and universities in Qingdao, further promoting educational exchanges between Qingdao and Montevideo.

Sebastián Bandera stated in his speech that the University of the Republic of Uruguay is the most important university in Uruguay and expressed hope for seamless cooperation between the two universities, leading to more fruitful results. Li Ronggui introduced the relevant situation of scientific research cooperation between the two universities.

During the signing and unveiling ceremony, Hu Jinyan and Rodrigo Arim signed the agreement to jointly establish the "Joint Sino-Uruguayan Bio-Nanopharmaceutical Laboratory" and unveiled the plaque. Sebastián Bandera and Zhen Zhu unveiled the plaque for the "China-Uruguay Research Center."

Before and after the symposium, Rodrigo Arim and his delegation visited the Qingdao University Analysis and Testing Center, the Biomedical Center, Cancer Institute, and the National Key Laboratory of Biopolysaccharide Fiber Forming and Eco-Textiles. In the afternoon, heads of relevant departments and colleges of the two universities held counterpart exchanges on the specific implementation of scientific research cooperation and exchange projects, discussing matters related to faculty and student exchanges and scientific research cooperation.

The Joint Bio-Nanopharmaceutical Laboratory aims to leverage the talents and resources of both parties in the field of nanotechnology. It focuses on major key issues in nanomaterials and technology, conducts forward-looking research, and serves the development of the nanotechnology industry in both countries.