Chinese-Hungarian Research Center Opened at ELTE
The ceremonial opening of the research center was held on June 10 at the Faculty of Humanities of ELTE. The event was attended by Gong Tao, Ambassador of China to Hungary, Lin Shangli, President of Renmin University, Jing Wei, Deputy Director General of the Center for Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education of China, Li Kexin, Chairman of Bank of China Hungary Branch, CEO of Bank of China Central and Eastern Europe Ltd. and Wang Xuejun, Executive President of China Railway Hungary Limited Liability Company. ELTE was represented by Rector László Borhy and Vice Rector for International Affairs Imre Hamar.
The aim of the China-Hungary Joint Research Center for Exchanges and Mutual Learning between Civilizations, established jointly with the Beijing based Renmin University, is to further strengthen Chinese-Hungarian scientific and higher education relations. In the future the Center will organize conferences, develop educational programs and launch joint research projects. In addition to all this, Renmin University also delegates a professor, teaching modern Chinese society and economy to ELTE.
As László Borhy said in his speech, the joint training and research programs are a huge step forward in bilateral relations. The rector recalled that, in addition to bachelor, master’s and PhD courses, the ELTE Department of Chinese Studies also carries out extensive research activities. Moreover, with the modernization of the master's course, it now provides a more market-oriented training for those who are interested in various aspects of modern China and who want to start a career in a Chinese company. The opening of the center, the popularity of the Department of Chinese Studies, and the constantly growing number of Chinese students coming to ELTE prove that expanding cooperation with Chinese universities was a good and important strategic decision. Since 2017, ELTE has concluded 47 inter-institutional agreements with Chinese universities and participated in numerous educational and research projects involving Chinese partners.
Lin Shangli, President of Renmin University
In the future, the research center will be of great help not only in the mutual understanding of Hungarian and Chinese cultures, but it will also bring the European and Asian worlds closer together - emphasized Ambassador Gong Tao and Lin Shangli, President of Renmin University.
At the department, which celebrated its 100th birthday last November, about a hundred students start their undergraduate studies every year, and 390 Chinese students are currently studying at ELTE's various faculties, said Imre Hamar. According to the vice-rector, Renmin University chose ELTE as its partner because in the country, the most advanced China research and sinology training takes place here.