BMU Strengthens Partnership with SDUFE

British Management University Strengthens International Partnership During Official Visit to Shandong University of Finance and Economics

On 24–25 June, a delegation from British Management University (BMU) visited Shandong University of Finance and Economics (SDUFE), marking an important step towards strengthening academic collaboration between the two institutions.

The BMU delegation was led by Rector Yuri Loktionov and included Deputy Rector for Postgraduate Programmes & Internationalisation, Lionel Henderson and Liu Kecheng, Director of the Digital Talent Academy at Henley Business School, University of Reading. The delegation was warmly welcomed by SDUFE President Hong Junjie and Deputy Party Secretary Xie Shenxiang, who hosted a series of productive discussions on future cooperation.

During the meetings, both universities exchanged insights into their academic development, internationalisation strategies, and educational priorities. Discussions focused on opportunities for collaboration in student and faculty mobility, joint academic programmes, research partnerships, digital education, and innovation in teaching and learning. The two institutions also explored ways to develop interdisciplinary talent equipped with digital skills and global competencies to meet the evolving demands of the international labour market.

Yuri Loktionov highlighted BMU’s commitment to international partnerships and its growing network of collaborations with leading UK universities. He emphasised the increasing importance of cooperation in the fields of business, finance, management, artificial intelligence, and digital technologies, particularly in supporting the sustainable development of Central Asia. He also noted that six students from SDUFE are currently participating in a study visit at BMU, describing this as an excellent first step in building a long-term partnership.

A key milestone of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between British Management University and Shandong University of Finance and Economics. The agreement establishes a framework for long-term cooperation in education, research, academic exchange, and the development of joint initiatives that will benefit students, faculty, and both institutions.

As part of the visit, the BMU delegation also delivered a special academic lecture entitled “Central Asia Opportunities, Digital Future: China–Uzbekistan Educational Cooperation Driven by Artificial Intelligence and Regional Development,” sharing perspectives on AI-driven education, digital transformation, and international collaboration. The delegation additionally visited the university’s Haidai Art Museum and met with representatives from several academic schools and international offices.

British Management University looks forward to developing a dynamic and mutually beneficial partnership with SDUFE, creating new opportunities for students, academics, and researchers while contributing to stronger educational cooperation between Uzbekistan and China.