In line with the national "Belt and Road" initiative and to further enhance the influence of the "Study in China" brand, as well as to continually elevate the international reputation and attractiveness of the university, attracting more international students to study in China and drawing in more international talents, from April 23rd to 29th, Yu Feng, Secretary of the CPCof Nanjing University of the Arts (NUA) Committee,Li Zhipeng, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC NUA Committee, Director of the President’s Office, and Head of the Publicity Department, along with Yin Xin, Deputy Dean of the School of International Education, accompanied the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange of the Ministry of Education to visit the United Arab Emirates and Egypt for the Study in China’ Education Expo. This visit brought together representatives from several provincial education departments and more than 20 universities and four research institutes of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Our university, along with the Central Academy of Fine Arts and Beijing Dance Academy, as three arts universities, were invited to participate in the exhibition.
From April 23rd to 26th, Yu Feng and his delegation participated in the Dubai 2024 International Education Exhibition (GETEX) held in the United Arab Emirates. The event boasted the presence of 180 educational institutions worldwide, drawing an impressive crowd of 15,600 student visitors. Notably, this occasion marked China's debut with a national pavilion, sparking significant interest among both institutions and students who flocked to our booth seeking consultations. The exhibition's opening ceremony was graced by the presence of Chinese Consul-General to the UAE, Ou Boqian, and Education Counsellor Fan Ding. Throughout the exhibition, our representatives fervently advocated for China's overseas study policies, program offerings, and scholarship opportunities, particularly targeting aspiring students keen on pursuing arts education in China. This strategic endeavor aimed to attract top-tier applicants to our esteemed university.
Yu Feng paid a visit to Zhang Yiming, the Chinese Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.
While in the UAE, Yu Feng meet with Chinese Ambassador to the UAE, Zhang Yiming, and Consul-General Ou Boqian. During these engagements, he provided an overview of the historical evolution and recent accomplishments of Nanjing University of the Arts (NUA). Zhang Yiming expressed sincere appreciation for our institution's endeavors in integrating art and technology and fostering deeper collaborations between academia and industry. He notably commended our significant contributions to advancing higher arts education and enhancing cultural exchanges between China and other nations. Additionally, he entrusted NUA with the esteemed task of redesigning the China Pavilion at Expo Dubai 2024.
Yu Feng exchanged views with Ou Boqian, the Chinese Consul-General to the United Arab Emirates.
After the meeting, Yu Feng visited Dubai University and the Mohammed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence. Yu Feng stated that NUA is advancing towards becoming a dual highland of traditional arts and the integration of art and science, striving to maintain its traditional strengths in arts disciplines while vigorously developing modern art disciplines combining "art + technology". The university has established the "School of Contemporary Music and Technology" and the "School of Digital Arts", and there is an urgent need for a large number of talents who understand art and have a background in engineering and technology. He hoped that through this visit, mutual understanding between the universities would be enhanced, providing an opportunity for substantive exchanges and interactions. For instance, inviting teachers from the Mohammed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence to visit our university and conduct short-term master classes, as well as attracting outstanding graduates to teach at our university.
From April 27th to 29th, Yu Feng and his delegation embarked on a visit to Egypt. On April 27th, they held discussions with the Chairman and representatives of the Egyptian Association of Graduates from University and College of China at the Suez Canal University. Vice President of Suez Canal University, Professor Mohamed Abdul Nayem, the Dean of the Language Institute, and the Foreign Dean of the Confucius Institute, Professor Hassan Ragab, warmly welcomed the delegation's visit.
On the afternoon of April 27th, Yu Feng and his delegation paid a visit to Chinese Ambassador to Egypt, Liao Liqiang, Minister Counsellor Zhang Tao, and Counsellor Lu Chunsheng at the Chinese Embassy in Egypt. Liao Liqiang expressed his hope for NUA to strengthen cooperation with Egyptian universities in areas such as the inheritance and preservation of excellent traditional culture, as well as cultural relic protection and restoration.
On April 28th, the delegation attended the ‘Study in China’ information session in Egypt. The exhibition attracted over 1800 Egyptian students. Minister Counsellor Lu Chunsheng from the Chinese Embassy in Egypt participated in the exhibition and engaged in discussions with our university representatives, inquiring in detail about NUA' participation in the event.
Minister Counsellor Lu Chunsheng from the Chinese Embassy in Egypt toured our university's booth and engaged in discussions with Yu Feng and his delegation.
On April 29th, our university's representatives visited theEgyptian Chinese University for an exchange visit. Yu Feng, on behalf of NUA, delivered a speech. He introduced the recent achievements in the development of our university and its disciplines to both Egyptian and Chinese participating institutions, emphasizing our university's strong commitment to internationalization. He highlighted significant collaborative efforts, including the joint completion of a large-scale choral work dedicated to the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022 by the students from NUA and Ain Shams University in Egypt. He also mentioned the signing of multiple cooperation agreements with "Belt and Road" countries and the organization of various artistic and cultural exhibitions and academic symposiums. During the visit, Yu Feng engaged in in-depth discussions with officials from the School of Art and Design at the Egyptian Chinese University. He expressed his hope that in today's digital era, through enhanced understanding and collaborative development, students and scholars exchanges could be promoted, setting the direction for future cooperation between the two universities. Subsequently, Yu Feng participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the student course exhibition of the School of Art and Design at the Egyptian Chinese University and toured the exhibition. He commended the artistic creativity of the students and welcomed them to NUA for study exchanges and visits.
President Rasha El-Khouly of the Egyptian Chinese University presented a commemorative gift to Yu Feng
This visit to the United Arab Emirates and Egypt provided an important platform and opportunity for actively promoting the international achievements of NUA, expanding our university's international influence. The delegation promoted our policies on studying abroad and its professional advantages, while also garnering many valuable suggestions and insights. These experiences have laid a new foundation for the future international development of our university. (Department of International Education)
