Forging new international collaborations

PA 108/09 Satellite navigation experts at The University of Nottingham are fostering international collaboration following a recent visit by a senior delegation from the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping of China (SBSM). During their visit, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed agreeing a long-term partnership between the University of Nottingham and SBSM, an addition to a recently renewed MoU between the University's Institute of Engineering Surveying and Space Geodesy (IESSG) and the Chinese Academy of Surveying and Mapping. The collaboration will include investigating the possibility of the University providing training for the SBSM senior administrators and the prospects for joint research projects of mutual interest, especially in the area of satellite positioning and navigation. Professor Alan Dodson, University of Nottingham Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Geodesy, said: "The University is very pleased to have initiated this collaboration with the State Bureau, which builds on the University's extensive links with China. "The IESSG is exceptionally well-placed to co-operate with Chinese survey and mapping colleagues in terms of both research and training, and I hope and expect firm commitments will be forthcoming following this very successful visit." The SBSM is the administrative organisation in charge of all the surveying and mapping work for the whole of China. The delegation, which visited Nottingham from March 29 to 31, was led by Mr Chaozhi Song, Deputy Director General of SBSM, who was accompanied by the bureau's Head of International Affairs Mr Qian Wang, whose remit covers international cooperation and exchanges.