To further deepen Liaoning University (LNU)’s commitment to educational openness and strengthen exchanges and cooperation with renowned European universities, Professor Pan Yishan, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Secretary of the Party Committee of LNU, was invited to lead a delegation on a friendly visit to Ghent University and Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium from October 5 to 8. The delegation sought to consolidate exchanges and interactions with existing partner institutions in areas such as education and culture, while actively exploring new avenues for inter-university cooperation with prestigious universities.
On the morning of October 6, Pan Yishan and his delegation held talks with Professor Mike Nachtegael, Senior Director of Education at Ghent University, along with 11 representatives from five faculties and international platforms of the university. Both sides reviewed the friendly relations and collaborative achievements since the establishment of their partnership 30 years ago and discussed potential future cooperative projects. Pan Yishan noted that the “China Semester” program and student exchange initiatives between the two universities are significant testaments to their strong relationship and serve as a solid foundation for advancing two-way faculty-student exchanges and interdisciplinary research collaboration. He emphasized that the 253 students successfully trained by LNU for Ghent University have become cultural ambassadors fostering China-Belgian friendship. Looking ahead, Pan expressed hope for expanded cooperation in areas such as faculty exchanges, joint research projects, co-organized international conferences, and the establishment of shared laboratories. Mike Nachtegael stated that LNU is a valued partner of Ghent University in China and serves as an important overseas base for its students and faculty to learn Chinese and understand China. He further highlighted that representatives from the university’s East Asia Platform, Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, Faculty of Sciences, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, and Faculty of Economics and Business Administration attended the meeting, expressing eagerness to engage in in-depth discussions with relevant college leaders from LNU on potential collaborative projects.
In the afternoon, they toured the Ghent University Library, paying particular attention to its collection and student service facilities. Subsequently, they met with Professor Gita Deneckere, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, among others, to discuss matters related to Ghent University students studying in China and ways to achieve more dynamic two-way exchanges and interactions.
On the morning of October 7, Pan Yishan and his delegation visited Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium, where they held discussions with Jacqueline Couder, Head of the International Office, and exchanged inter-university cooperation agreements.
Pan Yishan expressed gratitude for the warm reception extended by Vrije Universiteit Brussel and provided a brief introduction to LNU’s history and educational resources. He noted that both universities, as comprehensive institutions, are dedicated to cultivating high-quality talent for the modern era and share highly compatible and practical approaches in their cooperation philosophy, fields, and methods. Jacqueline Couder gave an overview of Vrije Universiteit Brussel, covering its founding history, strengths in disciplines and majors, research development, world rankings, and notable achievements. She emphasized that the university actively engages in international cooperation, participating widely in various strategic alliances and international programs, and has established partnerships with nearly 150 international institutions. She expressed willingness to explore potential collaboration with LNU in areas of mutual interest. The discussions focused on short-term student exchange programs, joint master’s and doctoral training programs, and collaborative applications for CSC-funded doctoral projects. Prior to the meeting, accompanied by Professor Gao Yue, a distinguished alumna of LNU, Pan Yishan and his delegation visited the laboratories of the university’s Chemistry Department and engaged with representatives from the Faculty of Sciences and the School of Chemistry.
In the afternoon, they visited the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Belgium and met with Counsellor Xie Yajing and her team. Pan Yishan provided an overview of LNU’s general situation and its history and achievements in cooperating with Belgian universities. Counsellor Xie Yajing fully acknowledged the results of LNU’s collaborations and stated that the embassy is willing to provide further support for the university’s ongoing exchanges and cooperation with Belgian institutions.
Principal officials from relevant departments and schools of the university accompanied the delegation on the visit.
