“USTB International Year” – USTB Holds “International Diplomats” Forum

          On May 25 the USTB Communist Youth League co-sponsored the "International Diplomats" event in the International Office’s multi-function hall. The International Student Center invited Mr. Zhang Shuanggu, Deputy Representative of the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), as the first speaker. President Zhang Xinxin attended and presided over the lecture, along with Development Research Institute Director Luo Yong, Director of the Center for International Students Zhao Liying, Deputy Secretary of the School Communist Youth League Ma Cong and more than 90 Chinese and foreign students.

       Mr. Zhang Shuanggong's lecture theme was "Strengthening International Exchange and Promoting Sustainable Development of Education". The lecture revolved around the issues of education in China, with internationalization of education being the future trend of higher education. It has become a central theme of the UNESCO 2030 Framework for Action in higher education.

       The second part of the lecture discussed how the future development of China was closely linked to its embrace of international education, and therefore argued that internationalization was of top importance to the county. In the third section, Mr. Zhang Shuanggong compares the innovative ability of the universities around the world, and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of Chinese universities in comparison. Finally, Mr. Zhang talked about his own work in the context of UNESCO's, its institutional setting, and its working model and overall objectives, with a focus on the UNESCO 2030 Framework for Action.

       Afterwards Mr. Zhang took as Q&A session with the students, ended with a round of applause, before taking a group photo.

       Students later talked about how much they had learned from the session as well as their appreciation for the work and experience that Mr. Zhang had shared, and said that they would be very excited to participate in another similar activity in the future.

       “International Diplomats”: cosponsored by the USTB International Office and the Communist Youth League. Seeks to invite Chinese diplomats, foreign experts and scholars to discuss issues pertaining to China’s foreign exchanges, policies, and other issues. The goals of the lectures are to help open students’ international awareness and give a more global perspective.

       Introduction to Zhang Shuanggu: graduated in 1974 from Peking University from the School of Oriental Languages. Taught about South Asia for over 20 years. Later transferred to the Ministry of Education to work as an editor. Worked at the Chinese embassies in India and Australia. From 2006-2011 served as the Deputy Representative of the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Since 2012 he has served as the Executive Vice President and Secretary General of the China Institute for Educational Development Strategy.

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