From June 8 to 15, president Peng Shuangjie of Central China Normal University (CCNU) led a delegation to visit universities in France, Spain, and Italy—including Paris Cité University, Paris North Sorbonne University, the University of Salamanca, the University of Castilla-La Mancha, and Unitelma Roma University—to deepen exchanges and cooperation with European institutions. The delegation also organized high-level talent exchange events in the three countries, visited Chinese embassies in France, Spain, Italy, and the Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, and met with CCNU students and alumni abroad.
During the visit to Paris Cité University, president Peng held talks with Antoine Kouchner, Vice President for International Affairs, reaching cooperation intentions on student exchange and joint research in French language & literature, international Chinese education, geographic information science, AI education, mathematics and physics. The two sides plan to sign an MOU and cooperation agreements to advance all-round strategic cooperation. At Paris North Sorbonne University, president Peng reviewed the previous cooperation of both sides , thanked the university for supporting student mobility through the Erasmus+ program, and proposed deeper cooperation in mutually interested fields. President Nathalie Charneau expresser his expectation to explore collaboration in physics, chemistry, biology and AI based on existing partnerships.
José Miguel, Vice Rector for Research of the University of Salamanca, welcomed the delegation and looked forward to establishing regular exchange channels for in-depth cooperation in education, Spanish and translation studies. President Peng proposed complementary collaboration in mathematics, physics, geography, biology, chemistry and information technology, with both sides exchanging an MOU and student exchange agreement. Raúl Martín Martí, Vice President for International Affairs of the University of Castilla-La Mancha, expressed anticipation for cooperation in language and cultural heritage, chemistry, physics, nanomaterials, mathematics and AI. President Peng noted CCNU's strengths in linguistics, theoretical physics, mathematics & statistics, organic synthesis and photochemistry, proposing 2+2 joint training programs in physics and mathematics for international students and cross-disciplinary research.
At Unitelma Roma University, a leading Italian distance education institution, president Peng introduced CCNU's self-developed "Xiaoya" intelligent teaching platform and achievements in integrating information technology with education, seeking deep cooperation in distance education content innovation and technical development. President Bruno Botta exchanged views on academic exchanges via Erasmus+ and the Horizon Programme, reaching intentions for joint research in educational information technology, PhD co-training in chemistry, online Chinese education and shared distance courses.
CCNU also held three "Global Talent Symposiums" in Paris, Madrid and Rome, attended by over 150 PhD students, postdocs and Chinese scholars, with representatives from the Chinese Embassies in France and Italy present. President Peng introduced CCNU's disciplinary achievements, new campus plan and talent recruitment policies, inviting outstanding scholars to join for research and campus construction.
During the visit, the delegation visited UNESCO and met with Chinese diplomatic representatives, reporting on CCNU's European collaborations and seeking advice on international talent cultivation and educational cooperation. They also engaged with the China Association of Engineers in France, alumni and visiting students, briefing them on the university's development plan and encouraging overseas support for CCNU's further development.
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