A Delegation from China Has Visited the Ural Federal University

10:38, September 24, 2012

Rector of UrFU and President of Guandong University discussed the prospects of further cooperation

On 24^th September Ural Federal University was visited by a delegation from the PRC headed by Mr Zhu Xiaodan  - the Governor of Guandong province. The delegation also included Mr Zhong Weihe, the President of Guandong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS).

The UrFU has been successfully cooperating with Guandong University for several years: for example, as a part of Confucius Institute which belongs to the Institute of Social and Political Studies.

This time the visit of Chinese officials was aimed at improving the contacts between the two universities: Rector Viktor Koksharov and GDUFS President Zhong Weihe signed a memorandum of understanding between Guandong University of Foreign Studies and Ural Federal University. This memorandum will allow the staff of both universities to share academic resources and develop joint academic and research projects.

During the meeting both parties agreed to increase the number of students and teachers taking part in academic exchange programmes. The officials also talked about the prospect of Chinese scholars participating in UrFU summer schools. The Rector promised that more classrooms would be given to Confucius Institute so that it could accept more Chinese teachers from Guandong University. Besides, the decision was taken to organize more training programmes at Guandong University not only for UrFU students but also for other students of Confucius Institute who are interested in learning more about Chinese culture.

This agreement was immediately confirmed by the distinguished guests who invited two school girls for a two-week traineeship at Guandong University. The two girls performed a Chinese song in tribute to the signing of the memorandum. They are studying the language at UrFU Confucius Institute and have achieved very good results: they could communicate in Chinese and also fascinated the guests with their vocal talents.

Viktor Koksharov gave the Governor of Guandong province a gift which was a rare picture painted by Soviet artist Lev Veibert in 1967.  “As you see, your visit has brought excellent results. Today we have signed an agreement and we hope that the contacts between Guandong province and Sverdlovsk region will strengthen the same way as they keep developing between our two universitites”, the Rector told the foreign guests.