On the afternoon of June 24, 2015, Prof. Serge Jaumain, Vice-Rector of International Affairs of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), led a delegation to Peking University (PKU) to discuss further collaborations. They were greeted by Dr. Li Yansong, Vice President of PKU, Prof. Zhao Yang, Dean of the School of Chinese as a Second Language, Prof. Dong Qiang, Director of the Department of French Literature and Linguistics, Mr. Wang Yong, Deputy Director of the Office of International Relations, as well as other representatives from PKU.
To begin with, Professor Li welcomed the guests from Belgium. He stated that over the years, there has been a strong bond between the two universities. Prof. Jaumain thanked him for the warm reception and introduced the rest of the delegates.
Prof. Jaumain introduced their academic programs and its currently-existing collaborative programs with PKU, especially the law program between two universities, and expressed that with the joint efforts of the ULB and PKU faculty, that they would come up with new programs and develop new cooperative programs in the future. ULB plans to establish a new faculty in humanity and arts, as well as developing a master’s program in Chinese Studies, which seeks deep collaboration with PKU.
Dr. Li then introduced the School of Foreign Language and its recent developments in PKU, and shared information about PKU’s MTI (Master of Translation and Interpreting) program. The Belgian delegates demonstrated their interest in enhancing cooperation in this field. Ms. Vanessa Frangville, who is responsible for the Master in Chinese Language and Culture, introduced the program during her visit to PKU last year.
In the end, ULB expressed their wish to strengthen collaboration with PKU and would be pleased to have more and more Chinese students in Brussels, as they are now providing students with CSC scholarships for doctoral degree programs. They especially welcome PKU students to apply for those programs.
At the end of the meeting, both sides exchanged gifts and shook hands in the hope of more cooperation in the future. The representatives divided into three groups to further discuss and exchange ideas of cooperation possibilities on French research, Chinese language teaching and study, as well as collaboration on a wider range of fields.
Written by: Xu Rui
