The Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE), the national educational association for internationalization of the People’s Republic of China, is launching a new cooperation programme between Greek universities and universities in China. This initiative is similar to those already launched with the European Union, the United States and the United Kingdom.
The inaugural event was virtually held with the participation of the Minister of Education Ms. Niki Kerameus, the Deputy Minister of Education Mr. Aggelos Syrigos, the General Secretary of Higher Education Mr. Apostolis Dimitropoulos, the Ambassador of Greece to China Mr. George Iliopoulos, the President of CEAIE Mr. Liu Limin, the Ambassador of China to Greece Mr. Xiao Junzheng, the CEO of “Study in Greece” Mr. Christos Michalakelis, as well as academic representatives of higher education institutions of both countries.
The aim of the cooperation programme is to bring the Universities of Greece and China closer together in order to initiate synergies such as the creation of joint study programmes, the exchange of students, the learning of both languages in both countries. Furthermore, the participation of foreign students in foreign language and summer programmes in Greece, the strengthening of cultural exchanges, the preparation of joint educational and research programmes, along with other forms of cooperation that the Universities themselves will choose.
During the event, Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Xi’an Jiaotong University, and the University of Patras with Fujian University of Technology.
Speaking at the inaugural event, Minister of Education and Religions Niki Kerameos referred to the high academic level of Greek universities, which creates a fertile ground for synergies with universities abroad, including China. She also referred to the favorable time situation which is characterized, among other things, by the key position held by extroversion and the internationalization of Greek Universities in the priorities of the Greek Government. Finally, she made special mention of the link between ancient Greek and ancient Chinese civilization, as cradles of Western and Eastern civilization respectively.
Ms. Kerameos highlighted the special cultural and educational ties between the two peoples, emphasizing that the mutual understanding and mutual respect of the long history of the two cultures help us in the most thorough and comprehensive understanding of their evolution over time. She further pointed out that Greece is an ideal destination for international educational collaborations, offering a wide range of scientific subjects, and that Greek Universities have much to offer to the global academic community and to gain, through synergies, exchanges of good practice and joint study programs.
