Professor Juan from the University of Leon Visited XTU

From February 10th to 16th, Professor Juan was commissioned by the president of University of Leon, Spain to visit our university and to discuss with us about the amendment of the cooperative program since the Spanish higher education system has been reformed.

XTU and the University of Leon have been cooperated smoothly by far, and we have already sent 62 students in three batches. Professor Juan is in charge of the cooperative program with XTU. This time he came here to discuss about the amendment of this cooperative program because there were some changes to the higher education system of Spain. He also discussed with us the issue of the establishment of a Confucius Institute at the University of Leon.

Professor Juan’s visit to XTU is very fruitful. The two parties reached consensus on many issues.

For the purpose of better adaptation to the education system reform in Europe and especially in Spain, the cooperative program has been changed from 2+2 to 2+3. According to the Spanish education system reform, the undergraduate system was adjusted from 3 years or 5 years program to 4 years program. As long as the student gets enough credit, he or she can get the new European bachelor’s degree. The School of Economic and Management of the University of Leon provides five undergraduate programs which have the same basic courses. Students can choose whatever program they like, and are allowed to change from program to program.

The two universities will jointly form a Selection Committee to take care of the admission process. The two universities’ opinions are equally important. At the same time, the universities also need to strengthen the communication concerning the management of the students.

In terms of the establishment of the Confucius Institute, the two parties are already doing the preparatory work. In the mean time, we have also discussed issues such as the exchange visit of teachers, student summer camp and the attendance of the graduation ceremony at the University of Leon. Professor Juan met with the XTU students who attended the cooperative program. He explicitly explained the changes to the Spanish higher education system and answered questions from students.

Vice president of XTU Liu Changgeng received Professor Juan. Relevant staff from the School of International Exchanges and the International Exchange Center attended the meeting.

School of International Exchanges
February 17, 2009