Cooperation Agreement between the University of Cyprus and Shihezi University in China
A Cooperation Agreement, aimed at developing cooperation in the fields of education, research and innovation, was signed on Thursday, November 16, 2023, between the University of Cyprus and Shihezi University of Xinjiang in China.
The Cooperation Agreement was signed on behalf of the University of Cyprus by the Rector, Professor Tasos Christofidis and on behalf of Shihezi University, the President of the University Council, Professor Chai Zhen. Professor Zhen was accompanied by a three-member delegation, consisting of academics and administrative staff. During the ceremony, the Ambassador and representatives of the Chinese Embassy in Cyprus attended, as well as academics and administrative staff of the University of Cyprus.
Based on the Agreement, the two parties will cooperate in undertaking joint research activities, as well as in the exchange of scientific personnel for the purposes of teaching, research, or lectures and the exchange of students in the context of their studies. Furthermore, through the Agreement, the two universities are given the opportunity to cooperate in the organization of joint conferences, seminars, or lectures.
During the signing ceremony, the Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Tasos Christofidis, stated that the University of Cyprus maintains close ties with China, particularly with the establishment of the Confucius Institute in 2014. The signing of the Agreement, he continued, is only the beginning of this cooperation, which will be developed through the cooperation of the respective Departments of the two Universities. Concluding, the Rector expressed his certainty that the cooperation between the two Universities will contribute positively to the achievement of the goals of the two institutions.
For her part, the President of the Council of Shihezi University, Professor ChaiZhen, said that China and Cyprus are linked by common cultural elements, which could contribute to the development of cultural exchanges. Professor Chai Zhen, at the same time, expressed the belief that the signing of the Agreement will open new horizons for cooperation between the two institutions.
Finally, the Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus, Mr. Liu Yantao, expressed his satisfaction with the signing of the Agreement between the two Universities. He also thanked the Rector of the University of Cyprus for the University’s contribution to strengthening the relations between the two countries, highlighting the important collaborations it maintains with universities in China and the establishment of the first Confucius Institute in Cyprus.
Activities at the University of Cyprus on the subject of Chinese culture
As part of the 8th Nicosia Book Festival, in which China was the honored country, parallel actions on Chinese culture were held at the University of Cyprus on October 5 and 6, 2023.
Art Exhibition “A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings”
The exhibition was held under the auspices of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Cyprus, China National Publication Import & Export Group Co., Ltd, and the University of Cyprus. The exhibition was attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Annita Dimitriou, the Deputy Minister of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Mr. Zhang Jianchun, the Head of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Cyprus, Mr. LI Yaohui, and the Vice-Chancellor of International Relations, Finance and Administration of the University of Cyprus, Professor Ioannis Yapintzakis.
In her greeting, the President of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Annita Dimitriou, said that the exhibition is a journey through Chinese history, which enhances the understanding of China’s culture and deepens the friendly relations between the two countries. The Deputy Minister of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Mr. Zhang Jianchun, highlighted the importance of this exhibition as a start for cultural exchanges between China and Cyprus. The official guests together printed the phrase “Harmony in Diversity” in the Chinese writing system, officially declaring the opening of the exhibition, and then toured the painting collections. The exhibits consisted of Chinese paintings from different dynasties to showcase its history.
Symposium “Sino-Cyprus Art and Cultural Exchange”
The symposium was co-organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus and China National Publication Import & Export Group Co., Ltd. The poet Maria Siakalli, the Professor of the Cultural Institute of Chinese Calligraphy at Capital Normal University, Ye Peigui, and the Chinese paper-cut artist, Sun Chunbo, participated. In her speech Mrs. Siakalli referred to the importance of literature as a means of understanding and mutual respect between different cultures. Participants had the opportunity to delve into the world of Chinese calligraphy and paper cutting through presentations and workshops.
China – Cyprus Civilization Exchange Forum
The theme of the Forum was the harmonious coexistence of cultures and humanity with nature. The event was co-organized by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Cyprus, China National Publication Import & Export Group Co., Ltd, the University of Cyprus and the Prometheus Research Institute. The event was greeted by the Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Tassos Christofidis, the Deputy Minister to the President, Mrs. Irini Piki, the President of China Publishing Group Co., Ltd. and China Publishing and Media Holdings Co., Ltd., Mr. Huang Zhijian and the Deputy Minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Mr. Zhang Jianchun. The Deputy Minister alongside the President underlined the rich cultural heritage and innovation that the two countries possess and emphasized the decisive role that exchanges have in strengthening cooperation. The Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Tasos Christofidis, stated that such initiatives promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries. The speakers, coming from the political, literary and academic community of Cyprus and China, developed ideas for strengthening dialogue and mutual understanding in order to promote cultural and business cooperation between the two countries.
Students of the University of Cyprus participated in Huawei’s “Seeds for the Future 2023” Program
Five students of the University of Cyprus participated in the “Seeds for the Future” Program, organized every year by the Chinese telecommunications equipment and services giant Huawei. This year, the program was conducted online from June 19-26, 2023.
“Seeds for the Future”, is an educational program aimed at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students specializing in the field of Information Technology and Communications (ICT) Solutions. Participants expand their academic knowledge in the IT and Communications industry, learn from leading professionals about cutting-edge technologies, and learn about China’s technology ecosystem. In addition, the program aims to bridge the gap between the knowledge acquired in the classroom and the demands of the competitive job market.
The opportunity to participate was given for the seventh consecutive year to the students of the University of Cyprus, within the framework of the Memorandum of Cooperation signed by the University of Cyprus with Huawei Technologies (Cyprus) Co Ltd, following an initiative of the Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus. The students who participated in the program come from the Departments of Informatics and Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering.
In the context of “Seeds for the Future 2023”, the participating students attended online courses, since the conditions of the pandemic did not allow the physical presence of the students at the Huawei facilities in China. The aim of the courses was to deepen the knowledge of the students in thematic sections, such as Technology, Management, Leadership and Chinese culture. The program participants also had the opportunity to attend the Startup Sprint in China in order to gain real business experience. In fact, the teams that received the first place can claim funding to establish start-ups while the student who received the highest score will participate in the Talent Summit and all expenses will be covered by Huawei.
University of Cyprus students reported that their participation in the program helped them grow professionally, as it enhanced their knowledge of leading technology sectors and gave them the opportunity to interact with experienced mentors. They also noted that in just 8 days they were able to collectively create a start-up business.
The Program Closing Ceremony was held on Monday, June 26, 2023 at the Hilton Park Hotel. In attendance were, among others, the General Manager of Huawei Cyprus, Mr. Wu Hao, the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Mr. Filippos Hatzizacharias, the Director of Higher Education, Dr. Terpsa Konstantinidou, the Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus, Mrs. Elena Augoustidou- Kyriakou, the Rector of the European University of Cyprus, Professor Andreas Efstathiou, the Director of the Administration Department of the University of Nicosia, Mrs. Despo Ktoridou, the head of Electrical and Electronic Engineering courses at UCLan, Professor Stelios Ioannou, as well as the participating students.
“2023 CHINESE BRIDGE” competition from the Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus
The 22nd “Chinese Bridge” competition for students and adults was successfully organized on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at the University of Cyprus. The competition was organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus with the support of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Cyprus. “Chinese Bridge” is a global competition in the context of cultural and educational exchanges. It aims to promote Chinese language and culture internationally and build bridges of friendship between young people from China and other countries.
The theme of this year’s competition was “One World, One Family”. Participants from different nationalities, with different educational backgrounds and ages were assessed for their knowledge of Chinese language and culture. Two students of the University of Cyprus, Diana Ivanova and Ioanna Ioannou, won first and second place respectively. The third place was won by Mr. Filios Phylaktou. The winner will represent Cyprus in the global competition “2023 Chinese Bridge” organized in China.
Mr. Liu Yantao, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Cyprus, Mrs. Elena Augustidou-Kyriakou, Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus, and Mrs. Cao Li, Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus, addressed the greeting. They pointed out the importance of learning the Chinese Language as it contributes significantly to the promotion of cultural relations between China and Cyprus and is an important part of developing bilateral relations and further strengthening the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
CHINA – CYPRUS YOUTH FORUM
Fruitful dialogue for today’s and tomorrow’s generations
An extremely interesting hybrid dialogue was held for the young men and women by the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Cyprus, the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Beijing, the University of Cyprus and the Shihezi and UIBE Universities of China. The online dialogue on “Embrace a Green Life and Promote China-Cyprus Friendship”, took place at the University of Cyprus, on November 8, 2022, in live connection with Shihezi University and the University of International Business and Economics of China, giving the opportunity to young people in Cyprus and China to talk and exchange views on the environment and culture of the two countries.
The event was welcomed by the Minister of Education, Sports and Youth, Dr. Terpsa Konstantinidou, Director of Higher Education, the Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Tasos Christofidis and the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Cyprus, Mr. Liu Yantao. Greetings were also delivered from Beijing by the Deputy Minister of Education of China, Mr. Tian Xuejun and Ms. Martha Mavrommati, Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Beijing.
The Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Tasos Christofidis referred to the cooperation between the University of Cyprus and the Embassy of China with the 2nd China-Cyprus Youth Forum being the milestone. At the same time, he emphasized that the action in question has now been established as the platform for creating a fruitful dialogue between the young people in China and Cyprus. This clearly demonstrates, he added, the commitment of the two countries to ensure that the youth of today and tomorrow are empowered and their voices are heard. The Rector also characterized the establishment and operation of the Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus as extremely important, since, as he mentioned, it is the means for the development of collaborations in the fields of education, research and innovation, between the Higher Academic Institution and the university institutions in China.
The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Cyprus Mr. Liu Yantao pointed out that in 2021 China and Cyprus celebrated fifty years of diplomatic relations and this was the trigger for organizing the 1st China-Cyprus Youth Forum. He then emphasized that the China-Cyprus Youth Forum is a bridge of friendship and exchange between the youth of the two countries and has been widely recognized by their leaders. “Today our young people are meeting again to renew their friendship and expand their cooperation,” he said characteristically.
The strengthening of China-Cyprus relations, especially in the fields of youth, are a priority and therefore every initiative in this direction should be encouraged, said the Director of Higher and Higher Education, Dr. Terpsa Konstantinidou, among others. More specifically, he said that “the title “Embrace a green life and promote China Cyprus friendship” is timely, as it highlights the results of the 9th Ministerial Session on the environment and the potential of education to be the key to more sustainable, successful, resilient and peaceful societies”. Dr. Konstantinidou also referred to the cooperation between the two countries at the educational and research level, such as the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Higher Education, the establishment of the Confucius Institute and the granting of scholarships to Cypriot citizens for studies in China, and underlined that the benefits resulting from the cooperation between the two countries go beyond the strict academic and research field.
China’s Vice Minister of Education, Mr. Tian Xuejun, referred to the new era that equips young people with new missions, while emphasizing that China today has built a high-quality education system that promotes cooperation with other countries. He also mentioned that China’s Ministry of Education is the platform for exchanges between young people in China and the rest of the world.
“The Forum is being held in the context of the excellent diplomatic relations between China and Cyprus, two countries with the oldest and most important cultures in the world, proud of their history and culture,” the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Beijing Ms. Martha Mavrommati emphasized in her own greeting. He also referred to the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries in the field of higher education, expressing the hope that it will act as a bridge for Cypriot youth to learn about China’s language and culture. Finally, he emphasized that the exchange of the youth of the two countries is the goal of the China-Cyprus Youth Forum and it will definitely be achieved.
During the Forum, which was attended by representatives of parties, officials of the Republic of the countries, students of the University of Cyprus and a large number of people, proposals were submitted by academics and experts in two different panels with the exclusive topic of discussion being youth, the environment in combination with the the effects of climate change and culture. Proposals were also submitted on the need to intensify efforts to achieve sustainable development, in particular through the creation of the necessary political and socio-economic conditions, which will contribute to the creation of stability, economic development and the protection of the environment.
Finally, the delegates pointed out the importance of the contribution of governments, parliaments, businesses, social partners and citizens in achieving sustainable development and prosperity, for present and future generations.
It is worth noting that the 2nd China-Cyprus Youth Forum took place within the framework of the excellent relations maintained by the University of Cyprus with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Cyprus through the Confucius Institute. The Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus, established in 2014, is a joint venture between the University of Cyprus, the Chinese International Education Foundation and the Beijing Institute of Education. Its mission is to develop strong educational, research, cultural and economic ties between the two countries.
Nine Students of the University of Cyprus participated in the Program
“Seeds for the Future 2022”
Nine students of the University of Cyprus participated in the “Seeds for the Future” Program, organized every year by the Chinese telecommunications equipment and services giant Huawei. This year, the program was held online from 20 to 27 June 2022 and a total of 21 students from three university institutions in Cyprus participated.
“Seeds for the Future”, is an educational program aimed at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students of university schools specializing in the field of Information and Communication Technology Solutions (ICT). Participants have the opportunity to expand their academic knowledge in the IT and Communications industry, be trained by leading professionals on cutting-edge technologies, and learn about China’s technology ecosystem. In addition, the program aims to bridge the gap between the knowledge acquired in the classroom and the demands of the competitive labor market.
This opportunity was given this year to the students of the University of Cyprus for the sixth consecutive time, within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding maintained by the University of Cyprus and Huawei Technologies (Cyprus) Co Ltd, following an initiative of the Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus. The students who were able to participate in the program come from the Departments of Informatics and Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering.
In the context of “Seeds for the Future 2022”, the participating students had the opportunity to attend online courses, since the conditions of the pandemic did not allow the physical presence of the students at the Huawei facilities in China. The aim of the courses was to deepen the knowledge of the students in subjects such as Technology, Management, Leadership and Chinese culture. In addition, the students had the opportunity to visit the offices of Huawei Cyprus, but also to explore, through virtual reality, the Galileo Exhibition Hall located at the headquarters of Huawei in China. The virtual tour included demonstrations of how Huawei’s latest technological innovations, such as robotics and computational intelligence, are being used.
Part of the program was the “Tech4Good” competition. Three of the members of the winning team are students of the University of Cyprus, who will have the opportunity to participate in the “EU Seeds Week” and the “Talent Summit” that will be organized by Huawei in September and December respectively.
The University of Cyprus students reported that their participation in the program will help them grow professionally, as it enhanced their knowledge of leading technology sectors and gave them the opportunity to interact with experienced mentors. At the same time, in the “Tech4Good” competition they learned to work as a team, exchange different ideas and study the technical and business aspects of the project assigned to them.
The Program Closing Ceremony was held on Monday, June 27, 2022 at the Hilton Park Hotel. In attendance were, among others, the General Manager of Huawei Cyprus, Mr. Wu Hao, the Chinese Ambassador to Cyprus, Mr. Liu Yantao, the General Manager at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth, Mr. Neophytos Papadopoulos, the General Manager of the Deputy Ministry of Research , of Innovation and Digital Policy, Mr. Stelios Chimonas, the Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus, Mrs. Elena Augoustidou-Kyriakou, as well as the participating students.
Seeds for the Future Scholarships: Grant of scholarships by Huawei Cyprus to students of the University of Cyprus
Huawei Cyprus, as part of the “Seeds for the Future Scholarships” Program, awarded scholarships to 14 undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students of the Departments of Mechanical and Construction Engineering, Informatics and Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering of the University of Cyprus. The scholarships were awarded within the framework of the Cooperation Agreement signed by the University of Cyprus and Huawei Technologies (Cyprus) Co. Ltd, following an initiative of the Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus. The “Seeds for the Future Scholarships” Program is implemented this year for the first time and is addressed to undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students of university schools specializing in the field of Information Technology & Communications (ICT) Solutions.
On Friday, March 11, 2022, the Confucius Institute organized a thanksgiving event on behalf of the University of Cyprus. The event was attended by, among others, the Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Tassos Christofidis, the Vice-Rector for International Relations, Finance and Administration, Professor Ioannis Yapintzakis, the Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus, Mrs. Elena Augustidou-Kyriakou, the General Manager of Huawei Cyprus, Mr. Wu Hao, as well as the beneficiary students, representatives of the Departments of Mechanical and Construction Engineering, Informatics and Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering, as well as Huawei Cyprus.
The Rector of the University of Cyprus, Professor Tassos Christofidis, expressed his gratitude to Huawei Cyprus for its generous offer and added that the students, through the opportunities given to them by Huawei Cyprus, will be able to contribute significantly in the future in the technology and IT sector, in which Huawei operates. He also hoped that the long-standing cooperation between the University of Cyprus and Huawei Cyprus will develop even more.
The General Manager of Huawei Cyprus, Mr. Wu Hao, referred to the long-standing close cooperation with the University of Cyprus, as well as the further support to students. In particular, he pointed out that the “Seeds for the Future” Program will continue to be offered to the students of the University of Cyprus, giving them the opportunity to expand their academic knowledge in the field of Information Technology and Communications, to be trained by leading professionals on cutting-edge technologies, to learn about China’s technological ecosystem, but also to discover Chinese culture. The start of the program at the University of Cyprus took place in 2016 and so far a total of 48 students have participated.
The students of the University of Cyprus thanked Huawei Cyprus for the opportunities it offers them, through its programs, since it gives them the opportunity to interact practically with their field of study and to network professionally.
The Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus and the English School
celebrated the Chinese New Year
As the Year of the Ox was coming to an end and people around the world were preparing to welcome the Year of the Tiger; the Confucius Institute at the UCY staff visited the English School and gave to students and teachers an insight into the Chinese New Year.
On Friday, 28th of January 2022, teachers and staff from the Confucius Institute at the University of Cyprus visited the English School. The English school welcomed the Confucius Institute with a violin performance of the Chinese folk song “Mo LiHua”, from the students, Yuanhong Xie (Catherine) and YouYou Tian (Elena).
The Confucius Institute at the UCY teachers, Mr Lu Xing and Ms Du Juan, gave an interactive presentantion to teachers and students about the most popular Chinese New Year greetings, traditions and festivities, such as the decorations, the dances, the New Year΄s Eve family dinner and the Spring Festival Gala. They learned to wish “虎年大吉” (Hǔ nián dàjí ; good luck in the Year of the Tiger) and “新年快乐” (Xīnnián kuàilè ; Happy New Year). A Chinese calligraphy class also took place, where teachers and students wrote the Chunese character “福” (fu ; good luck). People in China decorate their front doors and windows with the character “福”, but placing it upside-down, which means “good luck arrives” because the words “upside down” and “to arrive” are almost perfectly homophonous. The CI at UCY offered to participating students, along with other presents, a poster with the character “福”, so as to decorate their homes during the Chinese New Year.
- A minute with the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute Zhenxian Wang featured in the Cypus Mail – February 2015
- Inauguration ceremony held by the Confucius Institute at University of Cyprus featured in the Hanban News , English.news.cn – October 2014
- President of Cyprus Mr Nicos Anastasiades speech about the opening of Confucius Institute at the UCY featured in the Famagusta Gazette , Gold News – October 2014
- Opening of the Confucius Institute featured in Greek Reporter , Cyprus Mail – September 2014
