Professor HE Lianzhen, Vice Chair of the Development Committee of Zhejiang University and Director of the Center for China Studies at Zhejiang University, led a delegation to visit Kiel University and the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU Munich) in Germany and the University of Turin in Italy from 24th to 30th November 2024. The visit included discussions on cooperation with universities in the two countries at the International Campus.
At Kiel University, the delegation met with Vice President Ralph Schneider and representatives from the Faculty of Medicine, the Business School, the Faculty of Humanities, the Faculty of Computer Science, the Chinese Center, and the International Cooperation Office. The meeting reviewed the fruitful results of cooperation in education and exchanges since 2018, focusing on furthering Sino-German youth exchanges and the joint construction of the Center for China Studies. The delegation also visited the China Center at the university and promoted the International Campus and its undergraduate and graduate programs to the university's faculty and students, with a particular focus on recruiting students for the master's program in China Studies.
At LMU Munich, the delegation met with representatives from the International Cooperation Office and the Business School, exchanging information on the development of the business school and discussing student exchange programs. The delegation also met with the head of the Bavaria-China Higher Education Center at the University of Bayreuth and engaged in in-depth discussions on expanding the recruitment of high-quality students for the master's program in China Studies.
At the University of Turin, the delegation met with Vice Rector Alessandra Fiorio Pla and representatives from the Department of Culture, Politics, and Sociology, the International Cooperation Office, and the TOChina Hub. The two universities signed an inter-university cooperation framework agreement and discussed expanding the recruitment of high-quality students for the master's program in China Studies and cooperation on Sino-Italian short-term youth exchange programs. The delegation also promoted the master's program in China Studies and the International Campus's Summer School to the university's undergraduate students.
During the visit, the delegation also met with representatives of overseas Chinese organizations such as the Zhejiang University Alumni Association in Italy and the China-Italy Youth Association. The continuing education needs of overseas Chinese were explored, and the various undergraduate and graduate degree programs at the International Campus were introduced, with on-site presentations and Q&A sessions.
This visit strengthened and deepened educational cooperation between Zhejiang University and the four universities, extending the influence of the International Campus and ZIBS in Europe. It also contributed to expanding the scale of high-quality international student training, promoting Sino-European youth exchanges, and advancing the "Study in China" brand. By connecting with, serving, and consolidating the overseas Chinese community, the visit supported the sustainable development of the International Campus and enhanced the university's international reputation.
QU Haidong, Vice Dean of the International Campus and Deputy Director of the Center for China Studies at the International Campus, accompanied the visit along with other leaders from the administration offices and ZIBS.
Kiel University (The University of Kiel) was established in 1665. It is one of Germany's oldest and most traditional public universities. It has signed several inter-university cooperation memorandums and student exchange agreements with Zhejiang University, collaborating in fields such as medicine, linguistics, management, and marine sciences. Zhejiang University has sent 321 visiting scholars to Kiel University, and there are currently 19 students from Kiel University enrolled in and graduated from Zhejiang University’s master’s program in Chinese Studies, as well as an additional 6 exchange students.
LMU Munich was founded in 1472. The university has been selected three times for Germany’s Excellence Initiative and is a member of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and the European University Global Health Alliance (EUGLOH). Since launching strategic cooperation with Zhejiang University in 2019, scholars from the two universities have collaborated in fields including law, economics, history, German language, public administration, computer science, life sciences, medicine, and pharmacy.
The University of Turin was established in 1404 and is one of Italy’s largest universities. Its programs in economics and business administration are highly regarded throughout Europe, alongside the Universities of Bologna, Milan, and Florence, making it one of Italy’s "four major economics schools." The University of Turin has sent over 200 excellent undergraduates to pursue further studies in Zhejiang University’s Chinese Studies program since 2011.
Article: XUE Qian, CHEN Danfeng
Translation: LIU Shuaiyin
English Reviewer: Bruce Prentice
Editing: LI Yinan, LIU Shuaiyin
Editing in charge: ZHANG Yi
Reviewer: YANG Yi
Final Reviewer: QU Haidong