Shandong, Tel Aviv universities launch joint institute

The Joint Institute for Jewish and Israeli Studies of Shandong University and Tel Aviv University was inaugurated on Nov 23 in Jinan, capital of Shandong province.

More than 100 education ministry officials, experts from domestic universities, and media representatives took part in the inauguration ceremony.

Orly Fromer, advisor to the president of Tel Aviv University, said that the joint institute will serve as an important part of TAU's deepening partnership with Chinese universities. It will open the door to more exchange between faculty and students from the two universities, joint scientific research, international conferences, translations of classics, and cultural and artistic activities.

She added that TAU will make full use of its strength in Jewish and Israeli studies to promote the development of the joint institute.

Wang Qilong, vice president of Shandong University, said that the new joint research institute should seize on opportunities brought about by the Belt and Road Initiative, explore new research areas, expand cultural and people-to-people exchange, promote mutual learning and innovative ideas, and serve the economic and social development of the two countries.

He expressed hope that Shandong University and TAU would use the institute to conduct in-depth collaboration and strive to carry out strong research to promote the continuous integration of domestic Jewish studies and international academia.

TAU is the largest comprehensive university in Israel, and Israeli and Jewish studies are its main disciplines.

Shandong University and TAU first signed an inter-university cooperation agreement in May 2010 and have carried out various types of student exchange and joint research activities since then.

In June 2018, Fan Liming, president of Shandong University, held a discussion with the president of TAU and reached a preliminary agreement on building the joint institute. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding in February 2019.