Xiangtan University Delegation Led by Senior Officials Pays Visit to Spain and Portuga

Written by: Zuo Qingsong

Edited by: Li Wenwen

Translated by: Li Tingting, Xiao Liang

Source: International ExchangeCenter

From December 15 to 20, Ge Fei, Vice President of Xiangtan University, led an official delegation to visit Spain and Portugal upon invitation. The delegation paid visits to the University of León, the University of Lisbon and the National Centre for Energy and Environmental Technology of Spain, and met with the Chinese Ambassador to Spain. Personnel from the International ExchangeCenter, Academic Affairs Office, Science and Technology Office, School of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, and School of Environment and Resourcesattended the event together.

At the University of León, the two sides held a symposium on deepening and expanding cooperative programs. The meeting was attended by Nuria González Álvarez, Rector of the University of León,Julio Abad González and José Alberto Benítez Andrades, Vice Rectors,as well as heads of the School of Engineering, School of Economics and Business Administration, and other relevant units.Discussions centered on the renewal and upgrading of the undergraduate cooperative education program in Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Automation. Both sides alsodiscussed the possibility of expanding Sino-foreign cooperative education to other advantageous disciplines, including environmental science, artificial intelligence and finance. All participants agreed that the two universities share a profound friendship and a solid foundation for cooperation. Further deepening and expanding bilateral cooperation is the common aspiration of both sides and boasts broad prospects for future development.

At the meeting, Ge Fei and José signed a joint statement on the cooperative education training program and an exchange student agreement on behalf of the two universities. After that, Ge Fei, Nuria, and members of the Confucius Institute Council from both universities attended the 13th Council Meeting of the Confucius Institute at the University of León. The meeting reviewed and approved the 2025 work summary and the 2026 work plan of the Confucius Institute at the University of León. It comprehensively reviewed the institute’s achievements in 2025 in Chinese language teaching, academic research, cultural communication and other areas. Participants conducted in-depth discussions on topics including curriculum innovation and brand activity development for 2026. The meeting clarified the future development direction and laid a solid foundation for the high-quality development of the Confucius Institute at the University of León.

In Madrid, the delegation paid a visit to Yao Jing, Chinese Ambassador to Spain. Ge Fei gave a detailed report on the progress of cooperative education between Xiangtan University and Spanish universities, the development of the Confucius Institute at the University of León, and intentions for industry-university-research cooperation. Yao Jing recognized the achievements of Xiangtan University in international education. He stated that the Embassy will actively act as a bridge and fully expand communication and cooperation channels between the university and Spain in education, science and technology, culture and other fields, so as to provide strong support for the international development of Xiangtan University.

At the University of Lisbon, the delegation held a forum with university representatives including Vice Chancellor João Peixoto and Cristina Maguas, Vice Dean of the SciencesSchool. Both sides introduced their respective institutional features, advantageous disciplines and talent cultivation philosophies. They conducted in-depth exchanges focusing on cooperation models, joint talent training and scientific research collaboration in fields such as environmental science, mechanical engineering, artificial intelligence and finance. In addition, the delegation visited the Confucius Institute at the University of Lisbon. The two sides exchanged views on the digital and intelligent development of international Chinese education, and jointly explored development paths for Chinese language education in the new era.

The delegation also visited Spain’s National Energy and Environmental Technology Center (CIUDEN) and the Ponferrada Campus of the University of León. During exchanges with all parties, the two sides shared views on university-enterprise cooperation including industry-university-research integration and joint scientific research. They sought cooperation opportunities in scientific and technological innovation and talent training to drive the coordinated development of universities and enterprises.

During the visit, the delegation extended care and condolences to the international Chinese volunteer teachers at the Confucius Institute of the University of León, as well as Xiangtan University students studying in León. Ge Fei asked about their study and daily life. He encouraged the students to stay committed to their work and academic pursuits while overseas, act as ambassadors for cultural exchanges on behalf of their alma mater, and demonstrate the fine spiritual demeanor ofXiangtan University students.

This visit has consolidated Xiangtan University’s long-standing cooperative ties with prestigious universities in Spain and expanded new areas and scope for collaboration. It has laid a solid foundation for the university to elevate its international schooling standard and build a high-level platform for global exchanges.XiangtanUniversity will continue to deepen practical cooperation with universities and institutions across the world, and cultivate more high-caliber talents with an international vision and global competitiveness.