campus

China Hosts 2nd Yangtze River Delta Academic Exchange at Zhejiang University

From May 18 to 20, 2025, Zhejiang University hosted the highly anticipated 2nd Yangtze River Delta International Student Exchange Event, also known as 'Perceive China.' This significant occasion brought together more than 100 esteemed high-level international students and mentors from 19 universities within the Yangtze River Delta region, which includes prominent institutions such as Zhejiang University, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Nanjing University, and the University of Science and Technology of China.

The opening ceremony was graced by several distinguished figures, including Zhou Jianghong, the vice-chancellor of Zhejiang University, Wang Jing, the deputy director of the Study Abroad Administration Department at the National Study Abroad Fund Management Committee, and Du Jian, a first-level researcher at the International Cooperation and Exchange Department of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Education.

In his address, Vice-Chancellor Zhou Jianghong emphasized the impressive educational resources and research capabilities of universities in the Yangtze River Delta region, which have attracted a diverse array of talented international students. He articulated that the event's primary objective was to provide an opportunity for these students to display their academic accomplishments, foster communication and collaborative learning, improve their innovative abilities, and contribute to the advancement of international education in China. Zhou expressed his hope that the participants would leverage this valuable opportunity for personal growth through meaningful exchanges.

Wang Jing further elaborated on the event's significance, noting that the assembly of students from various countries and disciplines allowed them to gain insights from presentations, engage in stimulating discussions, and experience the unique aspects of China's development firsthand. She articulated a vision of these students becoming cultural ambassadors for China, who would share the knowledge and experiences gained during the event with their communities, thereby promoting a more authentic and comprehensive understanding of China to the world.

Organized by the National Study Abroad Fund Management Committee and hosted by Zhejiang University, the event received accolades from various participating institutions. Over the course of the three days, the program was rich in diversity, featuring special presentations from international student instructors, academic reports, specialized academic salons, academic poster exhibitions, and immersive visits within China. Each session garnered enthusiastic participation from students and received commendations from both faculty and attendees.

The event attracted participants from an impressive 36 countries, including notable representatives from the United States, Germany, Canada, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, Malaysia, and Zimbabwe. This international engagement underscores the event's role in fostering global academic collaboration.

The opening ceremony also saw the attendance of the head of the School of International Education at Zhejiang University and representatives from the international student management departments of partner universities, further highlighting the importance of this exchange platform.