Zhejiang promotes educational cooperation with Italy

A meeting concerning educational cooperation between Zhejiang and Italy is held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Rome, March 19.[Photo/zjol.com.cn]

A meeting concerning educational cooperation between East China's Zhejiang province and Italy was held in Rome on March 19.

Led by Zhejiang departments of commerce and education, a delegation of representatives from 29 institutions of higher learning attended the meeting.

Seeking educational cooperation was a major purpose of the event. The delegation met with over 50 representatives from Italian education system at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy.

During the meeting, representatives from China and Italy held seminars on design, arts, architecture, food supervision and business administration. A series of issues such as exchanges of students, staff training and short-term visiting programs were also discussed.

"The meeting was very effective, we met with representatives of over 10 Italian universities. We also achieved agreements with University of Roma Tor Vergata on sending students and enhancing joint programs to promote international cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative," said You Muhong, dean of school of International Education of Zhejiang University of Finance & Economics.

"Zhejiang is outstanding in China and makes great contributions to the country's economy," said Roberto Vellano, deputy director of Department of Economy and Culture of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Vellano added that Italy has a potential pivotal role to play in the Belt and Road Initiative as its geographical position enables the country to act as a natural gateway to Europe for Chinese products. Therefore, with the help of the initiative, the recent years have seen the frequent Sino-Italian exchanges and the rapid growth of Chinese students studying in Italy.

Having similar industrial structures, Zhejiang has a long-term cooperative relationship with Italy. A huge space for cooperation is promising especially when the private economy in Zhejiang is prosperous.

According to the Department of Commerce of Zhejiang Province, this meeting would definitely boost the trade and economic cooperation and culture exchanges between two countries.