On December 22, 2023, the 10th Anniversary Celebration of School of International Education and Studies and the Seminar on Central Asian and Regional Studies were successfully held. Professor Wei Jiang, Vice Secretary of ZUFE's Party Committee and Vice President of ZUFE (leading executive work), Shi Qiqi, Deputy Director of the Department of Commerce of Zhejiang Province, Du Jian, the "First-Grade Researcher" from the International Division of the Department of Education of Zhejiang Province, and Professor Luo Lin, Director of the Secretariat of the Regional Studies of the Ministry of Education, were invited to the event and delivered speeches respectively. Professor Zheng Yali, Vice President of ZUFE, presided over the event.
More than 300 attendees, including heads of ZUFE's relevant functional departments and schools, faculty representatives and both domestic and international students, gathered to celebrate the event. In his speech, Professor Wei Jiang acknowledged ZUFE's achievements in internationalizing education and cultivating international students, outlining three key requirements for the future. First, he emphasized the need to further elevate ZUFE's brand as a premier destination for "studying abroad" by capitalizing on its strengths in finance and economics. This includes optimizing faculty composition, building a multi-lingual, cross-cultural, and interdisciplinary student cultivation system, and ultimately shaping an innovative model that caters to the nation's evolving needs. Second, he stressed the importance of establishing distinctive disciplines within Zhejiang's context, providing intellectual and theoretical support for local industries, products, and services to expand their global reach through Central Asian and Regional Studies. Third, he called for a focus on national needs while maintaining a global perspective, emphasizing ZUFE's responsibility in implementing the new development pattern. He further outlined the goal of sharing China’s development story, experiences, and case studies with the world, amplifying China's voice through ZUFE.
Shi Qiqi, Deputy Director of the Department of Commerce of Zhejiang Province, noted Zhejiang's active engagement in foreign economic exchange. He expressed his hope that ZUFE would serve as a vital think tank, leveraging its Regional Studies Platform to support Zhejiang's continued economic opening-up.
Du Jian, a First-Grade Researcher from the International Division of the Department of Education of Zhejiang Province, acknowledged the significant progress made by ZUFE in cultivating international students. He urged these students to take an active role in participating in social practices and cultural exchange activities throughout their academic journey.
Professor Luo Lin emphasized that China's role as a major country in global governance has spurred increased research on regional studies. He expressed his hope that ZUFE, leveraging its expertise in finance and economics, will foster interdisciplinary collaborations to significantly contribute to the development of theoretical frameworks and methodological innovation within regional studies in the new era.
Professor Zheng Yali presided over the event.
The event featured a kick-off ceremony for the "Understanding Zhejiang Through Reading" initiative and a book donation drive for international students. President Wei Jiang personally presented the activity's flag to the international students, emphasizing the importance of learning about China's conditions through their studies in Zhejiang.
Zheng Yali presented a selection of books, including "Zhejiang, China: A New Vision of Development", to international student representatives, emphasizing the value of reading in gaining a deeper understanding of China.
As a gesture of appreciation, international students presented flowers to former leaders and teachers who had dedicated their time to the School of International Education and Studies.
Performances like the "Exotic Customs Show", "The Bloom of Youth", and "Elegant Charm of Han Culture" showcased the multicultural diversity and optimistic spirit of ZUFE's international student body. Leaders from leading international education schools across China, including Beijing Institute of Technology, University of International Business and Economics, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang University of Technology, and Zhejiang Gongshang University, extended their well wishes online. Graduated international students also shared congratulatory videos from various countries around the world. The 10th anniversary concluded on a heartwarming note with the international students singing "We Are All Family" together in harmony.
The seminar on "Central Asian and Regional Studies" drew a distinguished gathering of experts and authorities. Professor Luo Lin, Director of the Secretariat of Regional Studies in Colleges and Universities of the Ministry of Education, Professor of the Cheung Kong Scholar Program of the Ministry of Education, and Dean of the Academy of International and Regional Studies of Beijing Language and Culture University, Professor Xie Guiping, Deputy Director of the Center for Non-Traditional Security and Peaceful Development Studies of Zhejiang University, Professor Wu Airong, Director of the Kazakhstan Research Center of Shanghai International Studies University, Professor Li Yi, Executive Dean of the Institute of Regional Studies of Shandong University of Finance and Economics and Deputy Chairman of the Consortium of Talent Cultivation and Discipline Development for Regional Studies in Colleges and Universities, Professor Zhang Haiyan, Executive Deputy Director of the Czech Research Center of Zhejiang Financial College, and Professor Yu Muhong, Dean of the Institute for Central Asia Studies of ZUFE, all delivered speeches on discipline construction, talent cultivation, and think tank construction in Regional Studies.
In his presentation titled "Theories and Methods of Regional Studies", Professor Luo Lin stressed the importance of integrating diverse disciplines such as linguistics, culture, and applied economics within regional studies research. He advocated for a shift towards more field-based research, emphasizing that this would elevate the field beyond theoretical frameworks and into practical applications.
Professor Xie Guiping presented a report titled "Strategies and Suggestions Against the US's Measures and Impacts on China's High-Quality Co-construction of the 'Belt and Road' in Central Asia". His analysis delved into the United States' efforts to encircle and contain China's "Belt and Road" initiative within Central Asia, offering proactive counter-strategies and practical suggestions.
Professor Wu Airong presented a report titled "Practice of Shanghai International Studies University in Central Asian Studies and Central Asian Language Talent Cultivation". The report explored the current state and development of Central Asian language programs at Shanghai International Studies University, highlighting international best practices for cultivating Central Asian language talent. The presentation also addressed the challenges and obstacles encountered in this field.
In his presentation "Capacity Building of Think Tanks in Colleges and Universities", Professor Li Yi emphasized the importance of specialization, elaboration, depth, and characterization for think tanks operating within universities. He argued that pursuing these qualities would enable them to achieve professional excellence, cultivate unique identities, build strong reputations, and expand their global influence.
Professor Zhang Haiyan's presentation, "The Development Approaches and Challenges of Think Tanks for Local Regional Country Studies", examined the strategies, obstacles, and complexities confronting think tanks specializing in regional studies at a local level. The report concluded by offering practical countermeasures and recommendations to address these challenges.
Professor Yu Muhong presented a report titled "Regional Studies and Economic and Trade Cooperation in Central Asia - Taking the Ten Years of Economic and Trade Practice between Zhejiang and the Five Central Asian Countries as an Example". The report analyzed the prospects and challenges of economic and trade cooperation between Zhejiang Province and Central Asia, highlighting emerging areas of collaboration and offering strategies to foster deeper partnerships.
The seminar provided invaluable insights into both ideological guidance and practical strategies for the field of regional studies. It highlighted the importance of leveraging ZUFE's strengths in finance and economics to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and ultimately elevate the quality of Central Asian and Regional Studies.
