On the afternoon of July 28, Zaozhuang University held an online cooperation meeting with Baranovichi State University (BarSU) in Room 532, Mingli Building. Attending were Chu Fumin, Member of the CPC Zaozhuang University Committee and vice president of Zaozhuang University, and Alexander Nikolayevich Unsovich, rector of BarSU. Also present were Vladimir Klimuk, first vice-rector, and Evgeniya Rytvinskaya, vice-rector for academic affairs of BarSU. The two universities held in-depth discussions on joint education programs and the coordinated development of international Chinese language education, reaching consensus on a number of concrete areas of cooperation.

In her remarks, Chu noted that China and Belarus are all-weather comprehensive strategic cooperative partners, providing broad opportunities for two-way exchanges in higher education between the two countries. She pointed out that Zaozhuang University attaches great importance to international engagement and cooperation and has established partnerships and maintained regular exchanges with 88 universities in 20 countries and regions. Leveraging distinctive platforms for international exchange, including overseas Mozi Culture Center and the Esperanto Museum, the university has continued to advance its international cooperation and exchange. Looking ahead, Chu emphasized that the two universities should establish a regular online communication mechanism within the framework of their partnership and advance joint education programs, faculty exchanges and joint teaching and research activities. She also called for the implementation of joint student development programs and short-term exchange and study opportunities to cultivate interdisciplinary professionals with engineering and technological expertise and a global outlook, thereby strengthening people-to-people ties through higher education cooperation.

Unsovich spoke highly of Zaozhuang University’s achievements in international education and  recognized the great potential for cooperation between the two universities. He said that Baranovichi State University would actively promote exchanges and cooperation with Zaozhuang University and expressed his hope that the two sides would further deepen cooperation in joint education programs, cultural outreach, and Chinese language teaching, while regularly holding online academic seminars. He also looked forward to reciprocal visits between the two universities and expressed the hope that agreed initiatives would be effectively implemented.

During the discussion session, officials responsible for engineering, Chinese language education, and international exchange from the two universities discussed and agreed on specific arrangements for future cooperation. Moving forward, Zaozhuang University will build on the strong foundation of China-Belarus friendship and cooperation and promote people-to-people exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations between the two countries through higher education cooperation.

Also attending the meeting were representatives from the Faculty of Engineering and the International Affairs Department of Baranovichi State University, as well as representatives from the International Exchange Office (School of International Education), School of Chinese Language and Literature (School of Media and Communication), and School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering of Zaozhuang University.

Text and photos: International Exchange Office (School of International Education)

Editor: Ge Xiaoxia

Reviewer: Yan Xin