A delegation led by Zheng Chengjun, a member of the standing committee of the CPC committee of Beijing International Studies University (BISU) and vice-president of the university, visited institutions in Germany and Britain from Nov 6 to 12.

They paid visits to the University of Applied Sciences for Medium-Sized Companies (FHM), Foundation of German and Chinese Culture, Humboldt University of Berlin (HU Berlin), European School of Management and Technology (ESMT), Munich University of Applied Languages (SDI), Education Department in Chinese Embassy in Germany, University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and Consulate General of China in Manchester. They also celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Confucius Institute in UCLan.

The delegation met with FMH’s Vice-President Torsten Fischer on Nov 6. The two sides reviewed their long-standing friendly cooperation, discussed their exchange programs and reached a consensus on cooperation. Vice-President Fischer highly praised the language proficiency and overall performance of the BISU students. After the meeting, the delegation had an exchange with BISU alumni studying at FHM. 

The delegation meets with FMH’s vice-president

An exchange with BISU alumni at FHM

The delegation visited HU Berlin on Nov 7 and held a discussion with officials and young scholars there including Wang Wenhai, chairman of the Foundation of German and Chinese Culture, and Dai Junzhe from the Law School of HU Berlin. The two sides exchanged views on Sino-German higher education cooperation and agreed that there is greater potential for education collaboration between the two countries.

A group photo taken after the discussion

The delegation visited Education Department in Chinese Embassy in Germany on the same day and held a meeting with Counselor Huang Wei. Huang expressed affirmation for BISU's role in Sino-German educational cooperation. The two sides reached a consensus on strengthening educational and cultural cooperation, deepening the relations between Beijing and Berlin as sister cities and leveraging the potential of public diplomacy. 

The delegation meets with Huang.

The delegation met with Jorg Rocholl, president of ESMT on Nov 8 and discussed cooperation between the two sides. According to ESMT, students with professional skills and a proficiency in German have competitive edge in the job market in Germany. 

The delegation meets with Rocholl.

 During the delegation‘s visit at SDI on Nov 9，the two universities reviewed their history of cooperation and similarities, and then signed a cooperation agreement. After the meeting, Zheng had an exchange with BISU alumni in SDI about their future as partners.  

The delegation signs the agreement with SDI and pays a visit to BISU alumni.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Confucius Institute in UCLan. The delegation visited the university and met with leaders of Confucius Institute. An agreement was signed to continue the cooperation in building the Confucius Institute between BISU and UCLan. An award was given to the Chinese dean of the Confucius Institute Liang Hong by Baldwin, recognizing her contribution to the Confucius Institute and the cooperation between the two universities.

A meeting with the leaders in the Confucius Institute in UCLan

An agreement is signed to continue the cooperation with the Confucius Institute in UCLan.

Leaders from different institutions delivered speeches at the ceremony of the 15th anniversary of the Confucius Institute in UCLan. A big cake was prepared to add to the festive atmosphere. Water sleeves dance, face-changing, ribbon dance, Guqin (ancient Chinese stringed instrument) and Taichi were performed at the ceremony and amazed the audiences.

Zheng delivers a speech at the ceremony.

Baldwin delivers a speech at the ceremony.

The Confucius Institute’s 15th anniversary celebration ceremony is held.

A talent show of volunteer teachers in the institute

Zheng also visited BISU’s exchange students in UCLan and attended a Chinese class taught by BISU’s teacher Gao Yuanyuan. He chatted with students in UCLan and welcomed them to study in BISU.

Zheng talks with students in UCLan

Fruitful results have been achieved after the visit. Two agreements have been signed and the joint building of the Confucius Institute is strengthened, promoting the internationalization of BISU.