ATHENS, September 18, 2023 — In a momentous event that unfolded at the University of West Attica in Athens, Greece, Study in Greece and the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange jointly orchestrated the “Sino-Hellenic Higher Education Workshop” This landmark gathering has been hailed as a significant milestone in fostering profound friendship, as it not only enriched the cultural tapestry of Greece and China but also injected profound significance into the cooperative relations within the realm of higher education.
In the morning, the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly with the Department of Study in China convened with representatives from 22 renowned Chinese universities to come to meet with the representatives from Greek universities. They were Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Nankai University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Peking University Health Science Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing Dance Academy, Dalian Maritime University, University of International Business and Economics, Guizhou University, Hunan University, Sichuan University, Yunnan University, Nanjing University of the Arts, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Zhejiang Normal University, Beijing Institute Of Technology.
The occasion served as a platform for the Chinese delegates engaging with delegates from 15 Greek universities, which are the National University of Athens, the Agricultural University of Athens, the National Technical University of Athens, the Athens University of Economics and Business, The Panteion University of Social & Political Sciences, Harokopio University of Athens, Hellenic Open University, the University of West Macedonia, The Ionian University, The University of Ioannina, the University of Crete, the University of Patras, the University of Aegean, the International Hellenic University, and the University of West Attica. Rectors and schools of representatives gathered in synergy and engaged in a stimulating and interactive discourse, focusing on strategies to advance cultural and higher educational exchanges between Greece and China.
As the main organizer, the President of Study in Greece, Prof. Christos Michalakelis hosted the opening ceremony and gave a welcome speech to all the esteemed guests. Also, the opening ceremony was witnessed by the esteemed presence of Mr. Xiao Junzheng, the Ambassador of the Chinese Embassy in Greece. In his inaugural address, Ambassador Xiao eloquently expressed, “As an increasing number of Greek scholars and students embark on educational journeys in China, and conversely, more Chinese scholars and students explore the rich heritage of Greece, akin to China’s ancient civilization, this conference signifies an apt juncture in the higher education collaboration between China and Greece. It is a testament to the fusion of cultures and the perpetuation of friendship, establishing a solid foundation for future cooperation.”
The Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, recognizing the significance of this workshop, dispatched his deputy minister to represent him. Deputy Minister Ms. Michailidou engaged in cordial dialogues with representatives from the various Chinese universities.
During the meeting, an impassioned speech was delivered by the Deputy Director General of the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, Mr. Fang Yongsheng, envisioning a bright future of cooperation with Study in Greece. The Rector of the University of West Attica, Prof. Panagiotis E. Kaldis, as the event’s host also delivered an impassioned speech.
Another notable occurrence was the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Study in Greece and the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange, witnessed by the Chinese Ambassador. This historic moment marks the deepening of cooperation between the two nations in the sphere of higher education. The ceremonial exchange of gifts further underscored the significance of this occasion.
Over lunch, representatives from both countries engaged in more profound and amicable discussions, offering an opportunity to gain a deeper insight into each other’s needs and aspirations.
In the afternoon, it was the Study in China-Chinese University Exhibition. Twenty-two Chinese universities, under the aegis of the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange-Study in China, set up 25 booths, extending a warm welcome to local students, encouraging them to explore and inquire about the beauty of studying in China and the outstanding advantages presented by Chinese universities. This event not only serves as a promotional platform for studying in China but also as a cultural rendezvous that opens the doors of understanding to local students.
The following day, the delegation from Chinese universities paid a visit to the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and received a warm reception from its rector. Undoubtedly, this exchange meeting will infuse fresh vitality into the educational cooperation between Greece and China, promising a brighter future.
The “Sino-Hellenic Higher Education Workshop” will resonate in the annals of Greece-China relations. It transcends the boundaries of higher education collaboration, embodying a profound journey of friendship, affirming the enduring and blossoming camaraderie between the two nations.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that the press coverage of the event was provided by the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ΑΜΝΑ).
