Themed as “A journey to Nanhu, a glimpse of the world”, the 2025 Nanhu International Education Week, opened on November 1 at the Nanhu Campus of Zhongnan University of Economics and Law (ZUEL). This year’s Education Week converged together representatives from more than 20 universities and over 10 renowned enterprises across 13 countries worldwide, launching a grand international gathering that integrates academic exchange, cultural exploration, and career development together with over 20,000 faculty and students.
The opening ceremony was attended by a distinguished gathering of guests and featured a lively atmosphere. Hou Zhenfa, Secretary of the CPC ZUEL Committee; Zhu Fangwei, President and Deputy Secretary of the CPC ZUEL Committee; Chen Shi, Deputy Secretary of the CPC ZUEL Committee; as well as Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, President of Walailak University in Thailand; Graham Wise, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, and Nguyen Hoang Viet Vice President of the Vietnam Business University, along with other leaders from domestic and international universities and enterprise representatives, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. The ceremony was presided over by Liu Renshan, Vice President and Member of the CPC ZUEL Standing Committee.
In his opening remarks, Zhu Fangwei welcomed the guests and highlighted the university’s deep-rooted heritage in the fields of finance, economics, and law, as well as its achievements in the “Double First-Class” initiative, as a key university under the direct administration of the Ministry of Education. He emphasized that the university has consistently pursued development through openness and advancement through collaboration, and is committed to cultivating outstanding talent who possess both a deep sense of Chinese identity and a global perspective. This year’s Education Week serves as a vivid demonstration of ZUEL’s efforts to the opening up of its education and contribute to building a community with a shared future for mankind.
In their remarks, several presidents of foreign universities shared their visions for future educational cooperation.
Dr. Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, President of Walailak University in Thailand, highly praised ZUEL’s achievements in the field of digital innovation. He emphasized that in the age of artificial intelligence, education ought to remain “human-centered”, and expressed his hope that the two universities would further expand their collaboration on joint degree, digital courses, and research to jointly build an educational ecosystem integrating artificial intelligence with human empathy.
Graham Wise, the director of International Development of the University of Canterbury, greeted in Maori(the language in which aboriginal people in New Zealand speaks) and expressed his appreciation for ZUEL’s advanced education system for internationalizationand strong capacity of scientific research. He laid stress on that the University of Canterbury is willing to cooperate with ZUEL to innovate the new educational cooperation featured by “Justice, Influential, Futuristic”and cope with global challenges jointly.
At the process of gifting with open arms/hospitably Hou Zhenfa presented the scarves of ZUEL to representatives from three partner universities as a symbol of the sincere friendship and partnership. Then accompanied with counting down, guests from home and abroad pressed the button to ceremonialize the opening of the event,which brought the opening ceremony to a climax.
A wonderful array of cultural performances followed the opening ceremony. From melodious Peking opera to exotic Thai dances, from vigorous Mongolian dance to lively Russian folk dance, students from different countries achieved majestic cultural exchanges that embodied the concept of “All Civilizations Can Appreciate Each Other's Beauty While Valuing Their Own”.
This year’s Education Week comprised of four major sections including the International Culture Festival, the Education Exhibition, the thematic Forum, and the Student Employment Exhibition. At the event site, there were over 40 national cultural booths where participants could immerse themselves in the unique customs of various countries. Standout performances showcased the distinctive cultural features of 16 countries.
The International Program Education Exhibition invited admissions directors and representatives from nearly 30 universities and colleges in the UK, Singapore and the US, including Oriel College, University of Oxford, Washington University in St. Louis, the National University of Singapore and the University of Southern California, to hold face-to-face exchanges with students. The event drew hundreds of current students who actively sought consultations, creating a diverse international education platform for our students. It also served as an important initiative for our university to advance the cultivation of international talents.
The International Education Forum, themed as “Integration·Empowerment·Symbiosis: New Models for International Cooperation in Higher Education”, brought together university leaders from renowned institutions including Oxford, Cardiff University and University of Readingin UK, UC in New Zealand, WU in Thailand, and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Kazakhstan, together with the heads of the international cooperation department of our university. All participants gathered to discuss strategies for the international development of higher education.
In addition, the International Student Career Fair attracted a host of leading domestic enterprises such as Zoomlion, BYD.Co, JD.COM and CSCEC, building a direct bridge to the workplace for both Chinese and international students.
“Civilizations are enriched by exchanges and mutual learning.” The 2025 Nanhu International Education Week is not only a window for exhibition and exchange, but also a vital bridge linking studies to careers and campustowider world. It marks that ZUEL has taken a more solid step forward on the path of internationalized education, and is striving to write a new chapter in the opening-up of education.
Reproted by:Zhu Yajie,Yu Danjuan