Contributed by the International Exchange & Cooperation Department Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan Affairs Office
During December 9-16, 2023, a delegation led by Liu Guiqin, Secretary of the CPC BUCT Committee, visited the Sapienza University of Rome and the University of Sassari in Italy as well as the University of Nantes in France at their invitation, having in-depth exchanges about how to carry out or deepen the bilateral cooperation, particularly on joint student training, teacher and student exchanges and scientific research, in disciplines like economics & management, humanities & law, and art. Furthermore, the delegation visited China's embassies respectively in France and Italy, engaging in talks with the Education Office and the Science & Education Office on how to drive the exchanges and cooperation with French and Italian universities in more areas and at deeper levels.
On December 9, the delegation paid a visit to the Education Office of China's embassy in France, and was warmly received by Minister Counsellor Zhou Jiagui. Liu Guiqin expressed thanks to China's embassy in France for its long-standing support for BUCT's exchanges and cooperation with French universities, and introduced BUCT in terms of its high-quality development and cooperation with French universities. Zhou Jiagui briefed the delegation about China-France exchanges on education and the higher education system in France, saying the embassy will strongly support BUCT in pursuing higher-quality exchanges and cooperation on education and scientific research with French universities. Zhang Weiyu and Yan Aihua, respectively first secretary and secondary secretary of the Education Office, also joined the talk.
The delegation visits the Education Office of China's embassy in France
During December 10-11, the delegation paid a visit to the University of Nantes.It engaged in talks with the heads of relevant schools or departments of the university, including the Department of International Relations, School of Economics and Management, Centre de Management International Franco-Asiatique as well as School of Science and Technology, on joint student training, teacher exchange and cooperation on scientific research in specialties of economics & management, science and engineering. The delegation also visited the library, école de Design de Nantes-Atlantique and the School of Arts of the University of Nantes, exchanging views on relevant matters of cooperation. During the talk, Li Bin signed a letter of intent with the School of Economics and Management of the University of Nantes on behalf of the School of Economics and Management of BUCT.
The delegation visits the University of Nantes
On December 12, the delegation visited the Sapienza University of Rome, and was received by Giuseppe Ciccarone, Vice President of the Sapienza University of Rome, and Bruno Botta, President of its online college, at Senato Accademico.The delegation had in-depth exchanges with the faculties from the School of Economics, School of Art and Humanities, Department of Chemistry, Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering and International Office of the Sapienza University of Rome on academic cooperation and student exchange. Both sides reached a consensus on signing a cooperation agreement between the two universities and furthering cooperation in specific areas as soon as possible.
The delegation visits the Sapienza University of Rome
On December 13, the delegation visited the Science & Education Office of China's embassy in Italy, and was warmly received by Education Counselor Yu Xingguo. Liu Guiqin introduced the background of the ongoing visit to Italian universities, BUCT's efforts under China's "Double First-Class" initiative, and BUCT's wish to engage with Italian universities in humanities and social sciences. Yu Xingguo talked about China-Italy cooperation on education and the developments of Italian universities, promising strong support for BUCT's high-quality cooperation with Italian universities. An Yufan, secondary secretary of the Science & Education Office, also participated in the talk.
The delegation visits the Science & Education Office of China's embassy in Italy
On December 14, the delegation visited the University of Sassari. Liu Guiqin and Andrea Fausto Piana, Vice President of the University of Sassari, renewed the bilateral cooperation agreement on behalf of respective universities. Both sides agreed to further advance the cooperation between the two universities and their schools and departments. The delegation also met with heads of the university's schools and departments, including the International Office, Design Department, Department of Economics and Humanities, Department of Architecture, as well as Materials Science and Nanotechnology Laboratory, fully exchanging ideas on academic cooperation and student exchange in various specialties. The delegation also looked around the School of Design and the laboratory in Alghero Science Park.
Liu Guiqin signs a bilateral cooperation agreement with the University of Sassari on behalf of BUCT
The delegation visits the University of Sassari
Accompanying the visit were Zhang Jianwei, Dean of the College of Humanities and Law, Li Bin, Deputy Dean (in charge) of the School of Economics and Management, Zhuang Yibing, Director of the Department of Art and Design, and Feng Jianghong, Deputy Head of the International Exchange & Cooperation Department of BUCT.