RSU hosts Hebei Foreign Studies University delegation

During the visit, the delegation met the representatives of RSU management. In his speech RSU Rector Prof. Jānis Gardovskis (pictured below, with Professor Tatjana Koķe during the meeting) referred to the international openness and experience of RSU, as well as the wish to continue cooperation with the colleagues from Hebei. Whereas, RSU Vice-Rector Prof. Tatjana Koķe drew attention to the advantages of the quality of higher education available to Chinese students in Latvia. Finally, the Director of the International Department, Baiba Pētersone, gave a presentation about RSU and study opportunities provided to international students.

Prof. Jianzhong Sun, head of the Chinese delegation, President of Hebei Foreign Studies University, expressed his gratitude for offering quality Latvian language courses to the students from Heibei. He admitted that student exchange in the field of higher education is solid grounds for the development of international relations, "upon returning to China, the students will know Latvian and they will have gained an insight into Latvian culture. The students will be able to share their knowledge with their friends and acquaintances, as well as always have an interest in activities connected with Latvia."

The visit started with a tour around the Old Town organised and led by Project Manager of the International Department Maruta Funta. Vice-president of Hebei Foreign Studies Universit,y Yanhong Chen, praised the hospitality of RSU: "The tour around the Old Town was an exciting experience. We are grateful to our partner, RSU, for this opportunity. The town is clean, green and beautiful. We definitely wish to come back here.”

The delegation had a meeting with the Director of RSU Language Centre Dace Žibala, under whose supervision Hebei students have been learning Latvian and culture since October 2015. The  RSU Language Centre and Chinese students had prepared a presentation on the experience of students at RSU and in Latvia. The students demonstrated their knowledge of Latvian. Chen Hongmei, a representative of the RSU Confucius Centre, gave a presentation about Latvia to the guests from China.

Prof. Zhen Wei, International Relations Vice-president of Hebei Foreign Studies University, in his concluding speech emphasised that the teachers of RSU Language Centre had not only taught Latvian to the students, but also hosted them warmly. "The teachers were like mothers and elder sisters. They cared about our students”, said prof. Veis.

RSU concluded an agreement with Hebei Foreign Studies University in July 2015 when the University from China turned to the RSU International Department with a request to provide Latvian language courses to the students from China, who will accompany the delegation from Latvia during an international forum organised by the Chinese Government and the Hebei Province Administration within the framework of the cooperation of Central and Eastern European Countries and China (16+1) in June this year.

The Chinese delegation was especially interested in visiting the pre-clinical learning centre of the RSU Faculty of Dentistry. Hebei University plans to open a new study programme in dentistry. President Prof. Sun expressed the wish to develop cooperation in this study area with RSU.

The visit of the Chinese delegation was organised by the RSU International Department in cooperation with the RSU Rector's Office.