To further promote the in-depth understanding and exchange between Liaoning University (LNU) and European high-level universities, and promote the open cooperation in the deeper field of education with Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)  countries, Pan Yishan, academician of the CAE Member and secretary of the CPC Committee of Liaoning University, and his delegation were invited to visit the University of Nicosia in Cyprus and the Cyprus University of Technology on September 7-10, 2024. The aim was to explore new opportunities for cooperation between LNU and Cypriot institutions in higher education, and deepen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of education and scientific research between China and Cyprus. Ma Shuang, Director of the International Exchange Department of LNU, and Song Peng, Director of the Academic Affairs Office, participated in the visit.

On their first visit, Pan Yishan and his delegation were warmly welcomed by Antonis Polemitis, the CEO and highest leader of the University of Nicosia. The two parties had in-depth exchanges on the feasibility of LNU and Nicosia University's cooperation in running schools in Cyprus, and reached preliminary consensus on key issues such as professional settings, faculty sharing, and student exchanges. Both parties believe that cooperative education not only promotes the complementary advantages of educational resources between the two institutions, but also provides a broader learning platform and international perspective for students from China, Cyprus, and Central Europe. Three officials, including Zhou Yunliang, the temporary chargé d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Cyprus, attended the meeting and expressed high expectations for cooperation between the two universities.

       Antonis Polimitis and Pan Yishan exchange gifts.

Pan Yishan and his delegation also held a special seminar with the team from the University of Nicosia Business School to discuss the specific implementation details of their cooperative education project in Cyprus. Both parties discussed various aspects such as talent cultivation, teaching management, scientific research cooperation, and internship training. Both parties made every effort to further refine the cooperation framework to ensure the smooth progress of the project.

Pan Yishan and his delegation with the team from the University of Nicosia Business School.

The delegation conducted on-site investigations and understanding of the surrounding environment, student accommodation, and internship practices at the University of Nicosia. They not only interviewed Chinese students studying at the university, but also visited Huawei Cyprus for research and discussions. Pan Yishan and his delegation gained a deep understanding of the security issues in Cyprus, the quality and conditions of education at Nicosia University, the accommodation environment, and the learning situation of Chinese students at the university.

The delegation inspected accommodation in the student dormitories of the University of Nicosia.

The delegation inspected the teaching environment at the University of Nicosia.

The delegation with some management personnel of Huawei Cyprus company.

Pan Yishan and his delegation also visited the Cyprus Institute of Technology in Limassol for a friendly visit and were warmly received by Professor Panayiotis Zaphiris, the President, and Professor Nicolas Tsapatsoulis, the Vice President. During the meeting, both parties extensively discussed the possible areas of cooperation between the two universities in the fields of science and engineering, especially in teaching and research in disciplines such as computer engineering, information technology, and anti-corruption, which have great potential for cooperation. Both sides expressed their intention to actively promote deep cooperation between Liaoning University and Cyprus University of Technology in scientific research projects, talent cultivation, and other areas, to jointly enhance the international influence of the two universities.

Pan Yishan and Panayiotis Zaphiris exchange gifts.

 Delegation with leaders and teachers from the Cyprus Institute of Technology.

 Delegation with the Dean of the Chinese and the Cyprus’ Confucius Institutes at the Cyprus Institute of Technology

As the last stop of their visit to Cyprus, Pan Yishan and his delegation visited the Chinese Embassy in Cyprus and introduced the practices of Liaoning University in international education, China foreign cooperative education, and international cooperation to the temporary charg é d'affaires Zhou Yunliang. They gave a detailed report on the idea of cooperating with Nicosia University in Cyprus since last year. Zhou Yunliang highly appreciates the international cooperation achievements of Liaoning University and encourages the school to continue to improve innovative cooperation models with Nicosia University, making greater contributions to promoting education cooperation between China and Cyprus Subsequently, Pan Yishan was invited to give a special lecture at the embassy on ‘Understanding and Thinking about the Development of New Quality Productivity’, and had discussions with embassy diplomats on related topics.

 Delegation with Zhou Yunliang and others from the Chinese Embassy in Cyprus

The visit has injected new impetus into the internationalization process of Liaoning University and deepened the understanding and cooperation between China and Cyprus in the field of higher education. Liaoning University will continue to work hand in hand with universities in Cyprus, especially in promoting and implementing the overseas cooperation program with the University of Nicosia, to jointly create a bright future for education cooperation between China and Cyprus.