Peking University, September 30, 2024: A delegation from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), one of the world’s top organizations for the international exchange of students and researchers, visited Peking University (PKU) on September 20, 2024. 

Led by Joybrato Mukherjee, president of DAAD and University of Cologne, the delegation visited Linhuxuan in PKU, where they were received by Hao Ping, chairman of the PKU  Council, along with PKU vice president Fang Fang.

Hao Ping first highlighted PKU’s long-standing partnerships with several top universities in Germany, including the Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University, and the University of Cologne. 

2024 also marks the 30th anniversary since the establishment of DAAD’s Beijing Office. Looking back on the past decades of Sino-German collaboration, Hao Ping drew similarities between the higher education systems of Germany and China, and said that both countries should continue to deepen cooperation to address global challenges.

As PKU works closely with DAAD in academia and exchange programs, Hao Ping expressed the need to expand cooperation with German universities and research institutes, particularly with the University of Cologne, renowned for its Nobel laureates and influential scholars.

Christina Philips, director of the Competence Center for International Academic Cooperation, Ole Engelhardt, director of the DAAD Beijing Office, and Liu Xiaoxiao, deputy director of DAAD, were part of the delegation. They were joined by PKU representatives, including Wang Yangming, vice dean of the Office of Scientific Research, Zhang Yongle, vice dean of the Office of Humanities and Social Sciences, Huang Liaoyu, director of PKU’s German Studies Center, and Zhou Jing, vice dean of the Office of International Relations.

After the meeting, Mukherjee and his delegation visited the PKU School of Foreign Languages and met with students. Mukherjee congratulated the German Studies Center for its achievements in student training and academic research. He also reaffirmed DAAD's commitment to further academic exchanges between China and Germany.

Established in 1925 and based in Bonn, Germany, the DAAD is one of the world’s leading organizations for international exchange of students and researchers. Since 1994, DAAD's Beijing office has provided scholarships to outstanding Chinese students and scholars pursuing doctoral studies or research careers in Germany, fostering Sino-German cooperation in higher education and research.

Written by: Teo Si Min
Edited by: Wu Jiayun
Source: Office of International Relations