When you invite international collaborators to visit UTS, you bring fresh perspectives to our research community while enhancing the university’s global reputation. Such visits are invaluable for both sharing and gaining knowledge and for catalysing new research projects, helping UTS be the world-leading university of technology it aspires to be.
International research visits are a powerful way to strengthen research partnerships. Face-to-face collaboration builds trust and deepens relationships, as seen when UTS and Shanghai University celebrated more than 30 years of international collaboration with an open exhibition, workshops and experiences to highlight how our respective creative sectors contribute to shaping economic, social, and cultural landscapes.
“This event not only celebrated our enduring partnership with Shanghai University, but also the joy and value of truly creative work,” said A/Prof Susie Khamis, Associate Dean (International), UTS Faculty of Design & Society.
The Creative Industries Showcase featured contributors from the UTS Faculty of Design and Society who exhibited work across animation, film, music and sound, media, urban design, fashion, architecture and design.
UTS welcomed Professors Yang Ye and Song Tianyi from SHU Academy of Fine Arts, who brought with them a series of beautiful exhibits themed around Iron/Steel, Bamboo, and Weaving & Embroidery. These works, presented alongside local exhibitions and workshops, helped further strengthen academic and industry ties between Australia and China.
The Showcase also featured two fascinating talks in RES Hub presented by the Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts academics. Prof Jua Cilliers, Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Design and Society said that creative research thrives where ideas, cultures and disciplines intersect.
“This partnership between UTS and Shanghai University exemplifies how creative industries can bridge global contexts and demonstrates UTS’s commitment to advancing research that connects creativity with social, cultural, and economic innovation, reinforcing our role as a global leader in creative collaboration,” Jua said.
Read more about the 2025 UTS x Shanghai University Creative Industries Showcase
Paving the way for future collaboration
For the past 5 years, UTS and the Honda Research Institute (HRI) have worked together to explore social robotics. During a 2025 visit to UTS, HRI researchers were impressed by the university’s cutting-edge capabilities, including advanced fabrication and robotics laboratories, health innovation networks and pioneering 3D knitting technology.
The visit, convened by Deborah Szapiro from the Bachelor of Animation Production and led by Dr Bernhard Sendhoff, Global CEO and President of the EU Office, alongside Dr Randy Gomez, Chief Scientist in Japan, featured networking events and interactive workshops with UTS academics and HDR students from multiple faculties.
These sessions showcased UTS’s expertise and laid the foundation for exciting future collaborations.
“It’s been very productive having the HRI team visit us at UTS to see what we are capable of in terms of sustainable and alternative materials for robotics, personalisation of robots, plus expand our thinking about ways to apply ethical design practices, animation and social and emotional learning principles to the development of creative content for social robots that interact with children,” said Deborah.
"Facilitating these kinds of international research visits are key to building trust and expanding opportunities for UTS academics to share our own research, and to learn from the brilliant researchers we work with in other countries,” she said.
These experiences not only strengthened ties between HRI and UTS but also inspired new research directions and potential expansion of the Haru in the Hospital project to Australia.
Read more about this ideas exchange towards Designing cooperative social robots.
Collaborating across borders to understand pollinator vibrations
Dr. Tomás Matus leads the TOMSBio lab in the Institute of Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio) in Valencia. His team is collaborating internationally with researchers from Life Sciences and Systems Biology at Turin University and the Biogenic Dynamics Group in the UTS Centre for Audio, Acoustics and Vibration (CAAV) in the Faculty of Engineering and IT to understand how plants respond to pollinator vibration and other acoustic signals.
“We want to find out whether pollinator vibrations are good for plants and whether they favour certain insects that are better pollinators than others,” Tomás explained.
With funding from the Human Frontier Science Program, the multidisciplinary team is seeking to better understand how finely-tuned plant-insect communication is crucial for maintaining plant-pollinator interactions.
Tomás visited UTS in 2025 to spend time with team members in the Biogenic Dynamics Group at UTS led by A/Prof Sebastian Oberst. They play a pivotal role in by contributing expertise in bioacoustics, complex dynamics, machine learning and biogenic materials.
"My visit was highly enriching, marked by dynamic collaboration and knowledge exchange. Engaging with students from the Centre for Audio, Acoustics and Vibration, visiting the state-of-the-art UTS Tech Lab, and discussing shared research interests with Sebastian in the context of our Good Vibes project laid the groundwork for promising interdisciplinary synergies.”
Read more about how the international collaborators are Decoding the ‘language’ of plant communication
Top tips for hosting international research delegations
- Plan early and involve others: Notify key stakeholders like your Dean, the International Office, the Media and Communication team and all relevant researchers well in advance. Confirm dates with key audiences and secure any required approvals.
- Clarify objectives and mutual interests: Work with your research partners to define the and strategic objectives and purpose of the visit. Is it to explore research collaboration, partnership development, or knowledge exchange? Ensure alignment between your institution’s goals and those of the delegation.
- Prepare an itinerary: Build a schedule that includes meetings, tours, presentations and networking opportunities. Share bios and contact details of key participants widely to spark interest and facilitate meaningful engagement. If there are any engagement opportunities for the wider community, make sure you publicise these early through internal and external research channels.
- Communicate clearly with the visiting delegates to confirm timing, daily agendas and any special requirements.
- Ensure compliance and security: Review and follow institutional guidelines for hosting foreign nationals, including security approvals. Provide delegates with clear instructions on photography, data access, and facility use. Refer to official guides such as the ASIO International Delegations Guide for compliance.
- Showcase UTS’ capabilities and facilities: Provide information about UTS and its research strengths. Organise technical tours and facility visits. Highlight any unique facilities and make introductions to researchers and students of potential interests.
- Provide a warm welcome and be mindful of cultural difference: Seek guidance from the UTS International Office about formal greetings, protocols and relevant cultural norms, dietary restrictions and accessibility needs. Use formal salutations as appropriate.
- Offer support: Offer to assist with tips on travel arrangements, accommodation, meals and local transport. Plan a social program that introduces your visitors to Sydney and provides a positive experience. Provide emergency contact details and ensure delegates have access to Wi-Fi and other essential services.
- Document and share highlights from the visit: After the visit, share online articles, photos and quotes from participants.
- Foster ongoing collaboration: Send a thank you note and be sure to explore opportunities for future collaboration. Maintain regular communication to build lasting partnerships.
What’s next?
- Connect with the UTS International Office for information on how to host an international delegation
- Connect with the International Grants Team in he Research Office to discover funding opportunities to support research exchanges.