ZJU President DU Jiangfeng attends China-Italy University Rectors Dialogue

The year 2024 marks two significant milestones in China-Italy relations: the 20th anniversary of the establishment of their comprehensive strategic partnership and the 700th anniversary of the passing of Marco Polo, the Venetian explorer who first chronicled his travels to Hangzhou, describing it as “the finest and most splendid city in the world”. His observations remain a historical bridge linking Chinese and European cultures.

On the evening of November 8, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Italian President Sergio Mattarella jointly met with the representatives attending the China-Italy Cultural Cooperation Mechanism Conference and the China-Italy University Rectors Dialogue in Beijing. DU Jiangfeng, President of Zhejiang University, participated in this high-level event.  

The two heads of state heard reports from the representatives of the two sides on China-Italy cultural and university cooperation and spoke highly of the significant contributions of cultural exchange and higher education in promoting China-Italy friendship and cooperation, as well as world peace and development.

The following day, the China-Italy University Rectors Dialogue was held at Peking University. Co-hosted by China’s Ministry of Education and the Ministry of University and Research of Italy, the event focused on “Promoting Mutual Learning Among Civilizations and Cultivating Outstanding Talent”. Delegates from nearly 50 universities from both countries participated in the event, engaging in discussions on talent cultivation, scientific innovation, international cooperation, cultural heritage, and sustainable development.

At the forum on “Talent Development and Technological Innovation: Opportunities and Challenges in International Cooperation”, DU Jiangfeng delivered a keynote speech titled “Harmony and Unity: Building a Sustainable Future Together”. He shared Zhejiang University's concepts and practices from three perspectives: cultivating innovative and interdisciplinary talent, building an outstanding innovation ecosystem, and participating in global development governance.

DU Jiangfeng stressed Zhejiang University’s commitment to global engagement and sustainable development. Through a series of initiatives such as establishing intelligent teaching platforms, launching the AI for Education reform, organizing the SDG Global Summer School, implementing the Innovation 2030 Research Framework, developing international academic alliances, founding the Institute of Fundamental and Transdisciplinary Research, releasing the Sustainability Action Plan and the SDG Report, the University is committed to becoming a globally oriented, excellence-driven, and innovative institution. In the face of global crises and sustainable development challenges, Zhejiang University looks forward to strengthening collaboration with global partners, including Italian universities and research institutions, to jointly explore innovative solutions.

In an interview with China Daily during the event, DU Jiangfeng shared his thoughts on talent cultivation and discipline development. He emphasized the crucial role universities play in promoting the integrated development of education, science, and technology. He also underscored Zhejiang University’s strengths and practices in areas such as AI-powered educational reform and digital preservation of cultural heritage, as well as its efforts in promoting China-Italy cultural exchange and cooperation.

Zhejiang University is dedicated to global engagement and attaches great importance to promoting Sino-Italian cooperation in education, science, and cultural exchanges. It was recently selected as the academic support unit for China’s national pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale, showcasing the theme “Atlas: Harmony in Diversity”. The exhibition, which featured a series of ancient Chinese paintings, highlighted the profound contemporary significance of Chinese culture.

The year 2024 also marks the 15th anniversary of Zhejiang University’s partnership with Italy’s Sapienza University of Rome and the University of Bologna. In April, DU Jiangfeng led a delegation to Italy, where new agreements were signed with the Sapienza University of Rome, including a double master’s degree program in civil engineering. During the Venice Biennale, Zhejiang University bestowed the “Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings” upon the University of Bologna. Recently, the University awarded an honorary doctorate to Giorgio Parisi, professor of theoretical physics at the Sapienza University of Rome and winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics, to strengthen talent cultivation in statistical physics and complex systems.

Zhejiang University’ has established partnerships with leading universities in Italy, implementing nearly ten high-level joint talent training programs, including the university-level double PhD program with the Polytechnic University of Milan. In collaboration with the University of Turin, over 230 Italian students have been enrolled in Zhejiang University’s Master of China Studies. Since 2022, the University has hosted the SDG Global Summer School, attracting over 40 students from nearly 20 Italian universities. Zhejiang University’s efforts in joint research with Polytechnic University of Milan, the University of Bologna, the University of Perugia, the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, and the National Research Council of Italy have led to fruitful achievements in architectural design, nanomaterials, high-performance carbon electrode materials, and marine lidar.

Looking ahead, Zhejiang University will remain committed to global engagement, uphold the time-honored Silk Road spirit, and act as a practitioner of China-Italy friendly cooperation and a promoter of mutual understanding between Eastern and Western civilizations, thus contributing positively to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Adapted and translated from the article by the Office of Global Engagement, Zhejiang University

Translator: FANG Fumin  

Photo: Xinhua/Shen Hong

Editor: TIAN Minjie, ZHENG Qi