On January 10th local time, the forum “A People to People Dialogue — The ‘One Belt, One Road’ Initiative and its Potential for UK Higher Education” sponsored by the Confucius Institute at Coventry University was successfully held at the conference centre of Coventry University. Nearly one hundred people including Tony Skipper, Lord Mayor of Coventry, Tim Matthews, the trustee of Coventry University, Wang Yongli, Minister Counselor for Education of the Chinese Embassy in the UK and experts and scholars from many British universities attended the forum.
Wang Yongli (right) talking with Tony Skipper (left)
In his speech, Wang discussed the important roles China and the UK have played in the investment and cooperation of higher education. He emphasized that over the past decades, tens of thousands of Chinese scholars studied in British universities, most of whom have made constructive contributions to the communication and cooperation between the two countries upon returning to China.
Wang Yongli delivering a speech
Wang also said that the Confucius Institute provides a window for students of Coventry University to learn Chinese language and know about China. It is hoped that the institute continues to carry out more in-depth and extensive cooperation with more British universities in academic research and educational resource. He noted that the future development of the Confucius Institute should become an inevitable part of universities, and should be as much integrated into the local economy and society as possible.
Tim’s remarks were that Coventry University very much expects their students to visit China for academic exchanges, as it is a valuable opportunity for students to broaden their global vision and have a deeper understanding of the country. The exchanges and cooperation between the two countries enable students from different cultural backgrounds to learn from each other and help each other improve themselves under the complex international situation nowadays. The Confucius Institute at Coventry University not only provides a perfect opportunity for university students and staff to learn Chinese language and Chinese culture, but also plays an important role in business cooperation and academic research.
At the meeting, Kerry Brown, the professor of King’s College London and Jason Feehily, the professor of the University of Nottingham, both delivered wonderful speeches. They analyzed the importance of the “Belt and Road” initiative and its potential influence on the future of UK’s higher education, respectively from the theoretical and practical perspectives.
Based on the theme of the dialogue, guests discussed the future development of cultures and higher education of both countries and focused on both roles the two countries play in the context of the “Belt and Road” initiative. From different perspectives, they expressed their ideas of exploring cooperation potentials in various fields such as high-tech industry and higher education against the background of the initiative
The guests at the forum
In the future, the Confucius Institute at Coventry University will carry out exchanges and cooperation covering multiple levels and fields in Coventry and West Midlands, so as to make greater contributions to cultural and academic exchanges as well as business cooperation between China and the UK. (cited from Confucius Institute Headquarters, source: Confucius Institute at Coventry University, UK, Story and photos by Shi Yubo)