Delegation from Ghent University visits Zhejiang University

On June 5, Professor Bart Dessein, a Full Professor in the Department of Languages and Cultures at Ghent University and a Fellow Member of the Royal Academy for Overseas Sciences (Belgium), visited Zhejiang University. He was warmly received by Professor ZHOU Jianghong, Vice President of Zhejiang University.

Vice President Zhou extended a warm welcome to Professor Dessein and provided an overview of the university’s latest developments, particularly in the fields of international studies and political science. He also reviewed the long-standing ties between Ghent University and Zhejiang University, as well as Professor Dessein’s close academic cooperation with the University. He expressed his hope to further strengthen joint research on topics such as China-Europe relations, global development, and country and area studies. He emphasized the need for joint efforts to address global governance challenges, nurture interdisciplinary talent, and contribute innovative solutions to shared global issues.

Professor Dessein expressed his pleasure at returning to Zhejiang University and spoke highly of the significant progress made through years of collaboration between the two institutions. He underscored the vital role of higher education and research in driving political and economic progress and in fostering intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding. He also proposed new initiatives for joint research and training programs.

Representatives from the School of Public Affairs and the Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences also participated in the meeting. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions and reached broad consensus on key areas of cooperation, collaborative models, and implementation strategies.

Earlier, on May 27, another Ghent University delegation led by Professor Luc Taerwe, Director of the East Asia Platform of Ghent University and a Fellow Member of the Belgium Royal Academy for Sciences, also visited Zhejiang University. The delegation held a series of working meetings with representatives from the Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, the College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, the Office of Global Engagement, the Graduate School, and the Institute of Technology Transfer. The discussions covered a wide range of topics, including faculty and student exchange, joint degree programs, and technology transfer initiatives.

Looking ahead, both Zhejiang University and Ghent University reaffirmed their commitment to advancing practical cooperation, fostering high-level talent development, and strengthening scientific innovation, with the goal of further deepening the inter-university partnership.

Adapted and translated from the article by the Office of Global Engagement, Zhejiang University
Translator: FANG Fumin
Photo: Office of Global Engagement, Zhejiang University   
Editor: ZHU Ziyu, TIAN Minjie