From April 9 to 11, 2025, Prof. Christos Michalakelis, President of Study in Greece (SiG), with his colleague Diana Zhong, the Head of International Partnerships, carried out an official visit to Beijing, China, with the goal of raising awareness of Greece’s academic offerings and opening new channels for institutional collaboration. The visit included participation in the China Study Abroad Forum (CSAF), an official meeting hosted by the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic in Beijing, and academic engagements with leading institutions such as Beijing Language and Culture University and Peking University. Through these activities, Study in Greece reinforced its mission to build strong international connections and promote Greece as a hub for quality education and global academic exchange.
Study in Greece at CSAF 2025
On April 11, 2025, the President of Study in Greece (SiG), Prof. Christos Michalakelis, represented Greek higher education at the China Study Abroad Forum (CSAF) in Beijing, organized by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE). During the Plenary Morning Session, Prof. Michalakelis joined a distinguished lineup of speakers—including representatives from the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China (MOE, PRC), H.E. Mr. Peter Tan, Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore, and rectors from universities across five countries, to address this year’s forum theme: Quality, Trust, and Safety in International Education. The speakers highlighted their respective efforts to advance the internationalization of higher education.
In his speech, Prof. Michalakelis emphasized the importance of the theme topic of this Forum and how these values align with SiG’s mission of promoting Greek universities and fostering global academic collaboration. He also highlighted Greece’s long-standing scholarly tradition and its dynamic progress in contemporary fields, noting its unique offering of affordable, high-quality education in a secure and welcoming environment. Reaffirming SiG’s vision of making education a “bridge, not a border,” he expressed the organization’s commitment to working with CSCSE to support meaningful academic exchanges that foster mutual respect, cultural understanding, and lasting international connections.
Prior to the Forum, Prof. Michalakelis visited the headquarters of the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) and met with its Director-General, WANG Daquan. The meeting was also attended by XIA Jianhui, Deputy Director-General of CSCSE, MA Yun, Director of the Study in China of CSCSE, WANG Shan, Program Manager of CSCSE, XU Baofeng, Dean of the Belt & Road Research Institute at Beijing Language and Culture University, and Diana Zhong, Head of International Partnerships of SiG. Discussions focused on strengthening collaboration between Greek and Chinese educational institutions, with particular emphasis on expanding academic and student/faculty exchange opportunities.
SiG extends its sincere gratitude to the Chinese Embassy in Greece and CSCSE for their invaluable support in fostering educational cooperation between Greece and China. The partnership made it possible for SiG to represent Greek universities on this prestigious platform.
Special thanks go to the Chinese Embassy in Greece; CSCSE; XU Baofeng, Dean of the Belt & Road Research Institute at Beijing Language and Culture University; and WANG Yong, Dean of the School of History and Culture at Southwest University and Chinese Secretary-General of the Center for Chinese and Greece Civilizations (KELKIP).
Greek Embassy in Beijing Hosts Study in Greece President for Official Meeting
On April 10, 2025, the Embassy of the Hellenic Republic in Beijing hosted an official meeting with Prof. Christos Michalakelis, President of Study in Greece (SiG), who traveled to China to represent Greek higher education at the China Study Abroad Forum (CSAF), organized by CSCSE. This meeting with Ambassador Dr Evgenios Kalpyris marked a key moment in the ongoing effort to strengthen academic diplomacy and deepen educational ties between Greece and China.
The discussion provided a valuable platform for exploring ways to enhance the international profile of Greek universities and to identify new opportunities for academic cooperation within the Chinese context. Ambassador Kalpyris, together with other senior Embassy officials, including First Secretary and Head of the Consular Office Sevastianos Efstathios Kontovounisios, First Counsellor for Public Diplomacy Ioanna Kakalidi, and First Secretary for Public Diplomacy Eirini Anastopoulou, warmly welcomed Prof. Michalakelis and Diana Zhong and expressed their full support for Study in Greece’s mission to promote Greek higher education globally.
Following the meeting with the Ambassador, Prof. Michalakelis and Diana Zhong met with representatives from the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE). They exchanged views on potential collaborations and explored Study in Greece’s possible participation in major events such as the China Annual Conference & Expo for International Education (CACIE) and the China Education Expo (CEE).
Study in Greece President Delivers Lecture at Beijing Language and Culture University and Peking University Visit
During his recent visit to China, on the 10th of April, Prof. Christos Michalakelis, President of Study in Greece (SiG), was invited by Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) to deliver a lecture on “Higher Education Internationalization in Greece: Study Opportunities for International Students.”
The event, hosted by BLCU’s College of Sinology and Chinese Studies, attracted an audience of students interested in academic opportunities in Greece. Prof. Michalakelis presented an overview of Greek higher education, highlighting the country’s international study programs, affordable tuition fees, and vibrant academic environment. He also discussed Greece’s growing role as a hub for international education and the diverse English-taught programs available for foreign students.
Prior to the lecture, Prof. Michalakelis and his colleague from SiG were warmly welcomed by Prof. XU Baofeng, Dean of the College of Sinology and Chinese Studies, and Prof. MA Tieshi, General Secretary of the college. Their meeting focused on enhancing academic collaboration between BLCU and Greek universities, including the possibility of establishing a virtual hub to support Chinese students interested in studying in Greece.
As part of his academic visit to Beijing, Prof. Michalakelis also paid a visit to Peking University, one of China’s most prestigious institutions. He met with Ms. MA Lan, representative of the Office of International Cooperation (Europe Division), and Prof. JIE Dalei from the School of International Studies, where discussions centered around short-term student exchange programs and future opportunities for cooperation between Peking University and Study in Greece. The meeting reflected a shared interest in developing meaningful, student-focused collaborations that encourage cultural and academic exchange between Greece and China.
These engagements underscore SiG’s commitment to building enduring academic partnerships in Asia and promoting Greece as a global education hub. Study in Greece extends its heartfelt thanks to both BLCU and Peking University for their hospitality, openness, and shared vision for international education.
