From July 3 to 9, a high-level delegation from Communication University of Zhejiang (CUZ), led by Party Secretary Wei Guotan, visited leading universities in Hungary and Russia. The delegation included senior representatives from Development and Planning Office, Office of Undergraduate Education, Office of International Exchange and Cooperation (Office of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs) , School of Broadcasting and Hosting Arts, and Huace School of Film. The purpose of the visit was to expand international cooperation in areas such as joint academic programs, faculty and student exchanges, collaborative research, and the development of the Silk Road Academy.
During the seven-day trip, the delegation engaged in extensive discussions with top institutions, including Eötvös Loránd University and Budapest Metropolitan University in Hungary, and Lomonosov Moscow State University, RUDN University, HSE University, and Russian State Institute of Performing Arts. The visits resulted in the signing of multiple strategic cooperation agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
Strengthening Ties in Hungary
On July 3–4, the delegation visited Hungary, beginning with Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE), one of Central Europe’s most prestigious institutions. Party Secretary Wei Guotan met with Vice President Professor Imre Hamar, a renowned Sinologist and member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. The two sides reached consensus on establishing a China Studies Research Centre, co-founding a Silk Road Academy, jointly training graduate and doctoral students, conducting research collaboration, and building overseas internship platforms. A strategic cooperation agreement was formally signed.
During the visit, Professor Imre Hamar was officially appointed as a Distinguished Professor of Communication University of Zhejiang .
At Budapest Metropolitan University, the delegation held discussions with President Professor Tamás Gergely Kucsera and Vice President Professor Peter Rada. Both sides explored opportunities for student exchange, mutual credit recognition, faculty mobility, summer schools, international communication workshops, and collaborative applications for research and innovation projects. An MoU was proposed and agreed upon in principle.
Deepening Partnerships in Russia
From July 6–9, the delegation continued its visit in Russia, engaging with four top-tier universities.
At HSE University, Wei Guotan met with President Nikita Anisimov and Dean of the School of Art and Design Arseniy Meshcheryakov. The two institutions agreed to collaborate on PhD co-training, launch a joint summer school, and co-host a fashion and culture exchange week. A strategic partnership agreement was signed during the visit.
At RUDN University, the delegation explored cooperation in overseas education programs, academic exchanges, co-hosting international academic conferences, and graduate-level joint training. Discussions with Dean Viktor Barabash of the Faculty of Philology led to consensus on several future initiatives.
At Lomonosov Moscow State University, discussions with Vice President Yury Mazey and faculty representatives focused on digital media technologies and communication studies, with intentions to build collaborative platforms for student and faculty exchange and research cooperation.
At Russian State Institute of Performing Arts, Secretary Wei and his delegation met with President Natalia Pakhomova, First Vice President Arvid Zeland, and Assistant President Elena Rovinskaya. Both sides discussed plans for a joint Chinese-foreign educational institution, enhanced teacher exchanges, and cultural collaboration projects. A preliminary agreement was reached on establishing a cooperative academic program.
The delegation also toured libraries, museums, experimental theatres, training studios, and laboratories at the partner institutions, gaining deeper insights into their academic environments and infrastructure.
Fruitful Outcomes and Forward-Looking Cooperation
This overseas visit yielded multiple substantive outcomes:
● The appointment of Professor Imre Hamar as a Distinguished Professor at CUZ;
● Agreements to co-establish a Silk Road Academy with Eötvös Loránd University and to launch a joint academic program with Russian State Institute of Performing Arts;
● Progress on joint doctoral training, international faculty exchange, summer schools, and collaborative research platforms.
In addition, the delegation actively promoted Zhejiang Province and Hangzhou’s achievements in digital innovation and development. Meetings were held with Chinese alumni, scholars, and international students in both countries to introduce CUZ’s faculty recruitment policies and international admissions programs, effectively expanding the university’s global recruitment and talent pipelines.
