Rendezvous with Europa

Peking University, Nov. 18, 2010: From Nov. 8 to 14, a 13-member delegation of Peking University, led by President Zhou Qifeng, undertook an official visit to six partner universities in Europe, exchanging ideas on the general situations, and in particular, collaborations in academic research.

The six European universities were the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet M nchen, LMU), the Free University of Berlin (Freie Universitaet Berlin, FU Berlin), the Humboldt University of Berlin (Humboldt-Universitaet zu Berlin, HU Berlin), University of Vienna (Universitaet Wien), Stockholm University, and Uppsala University.

PKU delegation at LMU

In the meeting with Prof. Ulrich Pohl, Vice President of LMU, President Zhou first of all gave a brief summary of the successful cooperation experience in student exchanges, summer school program, and project of China Scholarship Council. He pointed out that as the capital of the Free State of Bavaria, Munich has strong advantages of economy, industry, culture, etc. and a solid basis of cooperation with China, facilitating further cooperation in more fields between the two sides in the future.

PKU President Zhou Qifeng and Prof. Peter-Andr Alt, President of FU Berlin

The partnership between Peking University and FU Berlin whose new President Peter-Andr Alt just visited PKU in September, dates back to 1981. As a return visit, President Zhou expressed his thanks to President Alt for including Peking University as one of the prior visiting universities after his installation, and gave full affirmation of the efforts of Peter-Andr Alt in promoting the mutual cooperation. Both sides decided to celebrate the 30th anniversary of cooperation in 2011. In addition, the delegation visited Confucius Institute in the German capital.

During the visit to HU Berlin, President Zhou congratulated President Olbertz for his installation as president and the bicentennial of the university, and pointed out that as one of the cradles of modern advanced education, its scientific academic methods and ideas have deeply influenced the development of modern Chinese universities. The two universities reached wide agreements on cooperation in many fields. In addition, HU Berlin will finance scholar exchanges between the two universities.

During the meeting at the Austrian capital, Prof. Georg Winckler, Rector of University of Vienna, pointed out that both universities have long histories and splendid academic achievements, and Peking University has always been a key partner university of University of Vienna. President Zhou also expressed his hope of further cooperation in related fields with the university.

PKU President Zhou Qifeng and Prof. Anders Hallberg, Vice Chancellor of Uppsala University

In the meeting with Prof. Anders Hallberg, Rector Magnificus and Vice Chancellor of Uppsala University (UU), both sides looked back the cooperation in the past, and then had an in-depth discussion on the reforms of higher education institutions. President Zhou appreciated UU s efforts to reform its teaching and scientific research. Both universities agreed to hold joint conference on relevant areas at Peking University next year, thus forming a mechanism of mutual visits and joint research.

Agreement on exchange program of three universities

On Nov. 9, President Zhou signed a PKU-Vienna-W rzburg (Bayerische-Julius-Maximilians Universitat W rzburg) joint agreement on establishing exchange program of Chinese language and culture with Prof. Arthur Mettinger, Vice Rector of University of Vienna. This program is supported by the three universities, and its teaching task is to be undertaken by PKU School of International Studies, contributing a lot to the multilateral cooperation between PKU and European universities, as well as the promotion of the Chinese language and culture.

Agreement for continued joint support for ZDS

On Nov. 10, an agreement on support for PKU Zentrum f r Deutschlandstudien (ZDS) was signed by PKU, FU Berlin, HU Berlin, and Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD). Peking University also reached an agreement on academic cooperation with Stockholm University.

On Nov. 9, President Zhou made a visit to Katharina Cortolezis-Schlager, spokeswoman of Vienna OVP education. Ms. Cortolezis-Schlager said that the Austrian government was willing to make efforts to cultivate talented students together with China, including the aid of policy and finance.

On Nov. 11, the PKU delegation held a meet-and-greet event at Stockholm University. President Zhou expressed his hope that PKU alumni would pay more attention to the development of their alma mater and make contribution to the bright future of Peking University.

Joint symposium at Uppsala

From Nov. 13 to 14, a PKU-UU joint academic symposium, which involved seven fields of medical & life sciences, physics, archaeology, literature, law, government, and international cooperation, was held at Uppsala University. The two sides agreed on a return visit next year and thus regularizing the mutual exchange.

In addition, President Zhou, Sweden s Crown Princess Victoria, Vice Chancellor Hallberg, and other celebrities from various fields of Sweden, attended the tricentennial of Sweden s Royal Society of Sciences in Uppsala.

Translated by: Cao Yixing

Edited by: Jacques

Source: PKU News (Chinese)