To expand the university’s international education initiatives, strengthen cooperation with Central and Eastern European countries in industry and education, and continuously advance the development of the China (Shandong)—Central and Eastern European Countries Industry-Education Integration Development Center, a delegation led by Kong Weijin, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of the university, recently visited Serbia and Hungary. The delegation engaged in cooperation talks with local universities and research institutions and participated in the China (Shandong)—Serbia Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange as part of the Shandong Provincial Delegation, achieving fruitful outcomes.
During the stay in Serbia, the delegation was invited to attend the China (Shandong)—Serbia Economic and Trade Cooperation Exchange held at the Sava Conference Center in Belgrade. The university signed a "Memorandum of Understanding on Promoting China (Shandong)—Serbia Industry-Education Integration" with Shandong Hi-Speed Group and the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts.
The delegation visited the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts and held discussions with Academician Mihajlović, Boćk, Chairman of the Serbian Telecommunications Department, and Prof. Šangabiković, Vice President of the University of Montenegro. They signed an employment agreement with Academician Mihajlović and a memorandum of understanding with the University of Montenegro. Through the introduction of high-level foreign experts, the delegation aims to accelerate joint research project applications and graduate student training, contributing to the university's high-level talent cultivation and international academic research.
The delegation also visited the Chinese Cultural Center in Belgrade, the European headquarters of Shandong Hi-Speed Group, and held talks with Zhang Aimin, Director of the Belgrade Chinese Cultural Center, and Chang Xuxian, Deputy General Manager of Shandong Hi-Speed Group in Europe. They reached a consensus on jointly promoting the construction of the China (Shandong)—Central and Eastern European Countries Industry-Education Integration Development Center. Kong Weijin proposed several measures to support Shandong enterprises' overseas expansion, and both parties agreed on establishing a student exchange program between China and Serbia.
In Hungary, the delegation visited four universities. At the University of Szeged, they held discussions with Vice President Zoltán Kónya and explored cooperation in short-term student exchanges and faculty academic visits in fields such as information science, business administration, and economics. At Széchenyi University, the delegation met with Tamás Tóth, Head of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food, and exchanged views on the China (Shandong)—Central and Eastern European Countries Industry-Education Integration Development Center. Both sides reached cooperation intentions in advancing international academic research and jointly organizing academic conferences. At Sopron University, they held discussions with Vice President Artibór and exchanged views on promoting sustainable development in Sino-Hungarian education, industry, and cultural exchange, signing a memorandum of understanding for future cooperation. At Óbuda University, they visited the automotive cybersecurity lab and discussed joint doctoral programs, Sino-foreign cooperative education, and faculty exchanges, reaching cooperation agreements.
The delegation also visited the Hungarian European Research Center and toured the ELI-ALPS facility used in the research that won the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics. They reached a preliminary consensus on conducting joint scientific research and sending outstanding scholars for academic exchanges. As a founding institution of the China (Shandong)—Central and Eastern European Countries Industry-Education Integration Development Center, the university held its first Sino-Hungarian Industry-Education Integration Academic Conference at Semmelweis University. The conference invited over 30 experts and scholars, including Hungarian Academy of Sciences Academician Mesterházy, Semmelweis University’s Kolmaja, Szeged University's Kurucz and Costa, Sopron University’s Spörl, and domestic experts from Shandong Agricultural University and Ludong University. Kong Weijin delivered a speech, and seven scholars from six universities, including Li Wei, Dean of the School of Automotive Engineering, and Zhang Guangyuan, Dean of the School of Information Science and Electrical Engineering (School of Artificial Intelligence), presented academic reports.
The delegation also visited the Hungarian Chamber of Engineers, where both sides reached a consensus on international talent training, scientific cooperation, and high-level talent exchange between China and Hungary. On behalf of the university, Kong Weijin appointed three Hungarian scholars, including Academician Mesterházy, as advisors for the China (Shandong)—Central and Eastern European Countries Industry-Education Integration Development Center.
The delegation paid a visit to the Chinese Embassy in Hungary and had discussions with Education Counselor Han Dongsheng to learn more about Hungarian universities' discipline construction, Sino-Hungarian cultural exchange, industry-education integration, and Confucius Institute construction.
This visit marks a significant exploration of the university’s active involvement in Shandong Province’s foreign cooperation. It plays a crucial role in advancing the China—Central and Eastern European Countries Industry-Education Integration Development Center, supporting Shandong enterprises' development in Central and Eastern Europe, and exploring new paths for the university’s international education initiatives.
