Xinhua, Athens, October 22 — The second Sino-Hellenic Higher Education Workshop and Chinese Universities Exhibition was held in Athens. Representatives of 18 Chinese and 16 Greek universities discussed deeper university exchanges, joint research and talent cultivation, aiming to expand practical cooperation in higher education.

In his opening address, Nikolaos Papaioannou, Deputy Minister for Higher Education at Greece's Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports, said higher education is the foundation for a productive, long-term relationship between Greece and China, and that the two countries' deep, rich histories and cultures provide a solid basis for exchanges in the humanities and social sciences. He called for more systematic networking among universities and for practical cooperation on joint degree programs, faculty and student exchanges and joint research.

Chryssa Sofianopoulou, Vice-Rector of Harokopio University of Athens, said: “A university's strength lies not only in creating knowledge but in its openness to new ideas, different cultures and partners.” The event, she said, offered an opportunity to strengthen Greek-Chinese academic ties, exchange views and explore new paths for cooperation in education and research.

Representatives of several universities shared examples of China-Greece higher education cooperation. Southwest University, the Chinese lead institution, has jointly built the China-Greece Center for Mutual Learning between Civilizations with Greek universities including the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and has launched an international joint master's program, “Chinese and Greek Civilizations: a Comparative Approach”, with the University of Patras. Representatives of the Athens University of Economics and Business, Panteion University and other Greek universities described their cooperation with Chinese universities in education and research.

The activity was co-hosted by overseas study service center of Greece and its Chinese counterpart . During the event the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding setting out a framework for cooperation in student and faculty exchanges, research collaboration and joint activities. Representatives of 18 Chinese universities, including the Central Academy of Fine Arts, the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and Jilin University, and of 16 Greek universities, including the Athens University of Economics and Business, the University of Patras and Panteion University, took part.

The first Sino-Hellenic Higher Education Workshop was held in 2023. The Chinese Universities Exhibition that afternoon showcased the programs, subject characteristics and study opportunities of the 18 participating Chinese universities, helping Greek educators and students learn about Chinese higher education and the chance to study in the country.