Representatives from Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), the University of Macau (UM), and the University of Lisbon (ULisboa) held an online ceremony to sign the agreement on the establishment of the University Alliance for Portuguese Language Education in China on Sept 7.   

Representatives from the three universities attended the ceremony, which was presided over by Wang Ruibing, interim director of the Global Affairs Office of UM.

BFSU leadership attends the signing ceremony of the University Alliance for Portuguese Language Education in China on Sept 7.

Yang Dan, deputy secretary of the CPC BFSU committee and president of the university, addressed the ceremony. He extended sincere gratitude to UM and ULisboa for their support in founding the alliance. Yang said that BFSU follows the strategy of cultivating talents, advocating research and promoting exchanges in its construction. 

Focusing on the education of global languages, global culture and global governance, BFSU has promoted its global strategy in an all-round way to build a comprehensive world-class university with international visions, unique characteristics, and high quality, Yang said.

Yang Dan, deputy secretary of BFSU’s Party committee and president of the university, addresses the ceremony via video conference on Sept 7.

Yang pointed out that with the ever-closer ties between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, high-quality bilingual talents with global competence are in short supply, which leads to the necessity of educational exchanges.

 “The alliance acts as an effective channel to bring together elite universities, innovate talent training mechanism, deepen teaching and research collaboration, broaden the scope of educational cooperation, and promoting cultural exchanges,” he said.

Yang urged BFSU to carry out in-depth cooperation with UM and ULisboa in scientific research, collaborative innovation and social services, so as to cultivate global educational governance talents. 

Rui Paulo da Silva Martins, UM’s vice-rector, delivered a speech, in which he praised the Macao SAR and UM for bridging the cooperation and exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. He also expressed his expectations for the alliance to enhance communication among the three universities and promote high-quality collaboration in Portuguese education.

António Manuel da Cruz Serra, president of ULisboa, wished the alliance to broaden Portuguese studies in China. Famous for its Portuguese language teaching and international education, ULisboa has maintained a good partnership with several Chinese institutions, including BFSU and UM.

Representatives from BFSU, UM, and ULisboa hold an online ceremony to sign a tri-party agreement on the establishment of the University Alliance for Portuguese Language Education in China on Sept 7.

Following the speeches, representatives from the three universities signed the tri-party agreement to launch the University Alliance for Portuguese Language Education in China.