A delegation of TEPAK, led by the Rector, Professor Panagiotis Zafeiris, visited Hangzhou Dianzi University (HDU), Zhejiang University (ZJU) and China Jiliang University (CJLU) in China, participating in productive discussions to explore opportunities for academic collaboration, student exchange programs and joint research initiatives.
The visit reflects TEPAK's strategy to expand the University's partnerships with academic institutions in Asia, offer foreign language study programs, and promote extroversion and intercultural understanding among its academic staff and students.
Highlights of the visit included:
Memorandums of Cooperation:
Agreements were signed to strengthen ties with three universities. Specifically, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Faculty of Agriculture and Biotechnology of Zhejiang University and the Faculty of Geotechnical Sciences and Environmental Management of TEPAK. Zhejiang University is #46 in the world based on the Times Higher Education Rankings and this school is ranked in the top 20 in this field in the world.
Also TEPAK renewed its ties with Hangzhou Dianzi University with which it offers a joint master's program in the field of Electronic Engineering with huge interest from Chinese students. In Hangzhou Dianzi, the Memorandum of Cooperation was renewed and meetings were held with departments exploring the prospects for new collaborations, new study and research programs, student mobility and exchange of know-how. With this particular university, TEPAK has established the Confucius Institute with the main purpose of promoting the Chinese language and culture and strengthening interculturality.
Dr. Anna Nikolaou, Director of the Confucius Institute of TEPAK and member of the mission in China, held meetings with students of Hangzhou Dianzi University who have expressed interest in visiting Cyprus and TEPAK in February 2025 for winter school.
Finally, the Memorandum of Cooperation was renewed with China Jiliang University, a university with a long history in the field of metrology, and a tour of the impressive campus and the amazing museum of the university with an emphasis on the subject of metrology was held.
_cuva World Chinese Language Conference:
In addition to the visits, the delegation participated in the World Chinese Language Conference held in Beijing on November 15-17. The conference themed: “Interconnection, Integration, Heritage, Innovation” brought together over 2,000 participants from more than 160 countries. The conference highlighted the pivotal role and achievements of Confucius Institutes which celebrated their 20th anniversary this year in many universities around the world.
The visit marks an important milestone in TEPAK's efforts to promote global connections and improve the learning experience for its students. The university plans to build on this momentum by hosting mutual visits and collaboration events in the coming months.
