UAlg Welcomes Chinese Delegation and Strengthens Internationalisation in the Asia-Pacific

The meeting aimed to deepen institutional relations and identify new opportunities for academic, scientific and cultural cooperation.

The Rector of UAlg, Alexandra Teodósio, Luís Chícharo, professor at the Faculty of Sciences and Technology, and representatives of the Office for International Relations and Mobility were present to introduce the institution’s main strategic areas of development. The main highlight was UAlg’s growing international profile and its sustainability strategy.

The Chinese delegation included Yu Zhongbo, professor at Hohai University, former chair of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (UNESCO-IHP) and currently head of Water Education; Jiang Meng (Frank), executive vice president and secretary-general of the Nanjing Finless Porpoise Aquatic Life Conservation Association; as well as representatives of the Xinhua Daily media group, including Hang Chunyan, deputy editor-in-chief; Gu Xingxin, deputy director of the International Communication Department; Zhu Wei, director of the Operations Department of the Jiaohuidian platform; Wang Ruifeng, video journalist; and Zhu Na, journalist at the International Communication Department.

The presence of representatives of a major Jiangsu media group provided an opportunity to strengthen UAlg’s international visibility among the Chinese public, showcasing its academic offer, its research, and its role as a partner in the European area.

In this context, the work carried out within the European University of the Seas – SEA-EU was presented, with the activity of the UNESCO Chair in Ecohydrology also highlighted. This is a scientific area of common interest, given the global challenges related to the sustainable management of water resources, ecosystem conservation and adaptation to climate change.

The Chinese delegation also shared its experience in environmental sustainability, a field in which it has developed large-scale projects and initiatives.

The visit also made it possible to address the shared interest in strengthening academic and scientific cooperation with Chinese institutions, contributing to the implementation of UAlg’s internationalisation strategy in the Asia-Pacific region. In this context, possibilities for collaboration were discussed in areas such as research, academic mobility, advanced training and the development of joint projects.

At the end of the day, the delegation also had the opportunity to meet with Pedro Calado, director of the School of Education and Communication (ESEC).

This meeting is part of the reinforcement of UAlg’s international presence in the region, which has been consolidated through institutional meetings and contacts with universities and organisations in China, Malaysia, Laos, Singapore and Vietnam. The aim is to consolidate a network of partners capable of creating new opportunities for students, researchers and teaching staff.

The meeting was therefore an important moment for deepening relations between Portugal and China in higher education, demonstrating UAlg’s commitment to internationalisation, scientific excellence and the development of global partnerships capable of generating academic, social and environmental impact.