The Industrial University of Santander hosted an institutional visit from His Excellency Zhu Jingyang, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Colombia, accompanied by the cultural attaché, Ms. Yuan Juhua, and the political attaché, Mr. Feng Ziming.
The delegation was received by the Vice Rector for Research and Extension, Professor Cristian Blanco Tirado, and the Director of External Relations, Professor Liliana del Pilar Castro Molano. Also participating in the meeting were Professors Marianny Yajaira Combariza and Lola Xiomara Bautista, as well as the Director of DTIC, Gilberto Díaz Toro.
“We took a tour of the campus—it’s my first time at the UIS. It’s beautiful, with many buildings and a lovely natural setting. I see a very dynamic university with promising prospects for development. On behalf of China, we are willing to support any cooperation project between universities or companies in our country,” said Zhu Jingyang, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Colombia.
The event, aimed at deepening academic and institutional cooperation ties between the UIS and the People’s Republic of China, sought to explore opportunities for collaboration in key areas: student and faculty mobility, joint development of research projects, cultural and linguistic exchange, and the eventual signing of agreements to consolidate a long-term relationship.
“In recent years, we have seen universities grow tremendously in terms of quality and standards. This means that, through these types of initiatives, we find common ground that allows us to establish direct contact with these institutions and advance our institutional goals. The idea is to foster two-way relationships that benefit research, innovation, and entrepreneurship at universities in both China and Colombia. We expect these types of relationships to have a very positive impact on the development of our institution,” said Cristian Blanco Tirado, Vice Rector for Research and Outreach.
For the Industrial University of Santander, international relations constitute a strategic pillar of the 2019–2030 Institutional Development Plan (PDI), which seeks to expand the institution’s international reach, strengthen academic cooperation, and forge closer ties with the world. Through a robust network of international partnerships, the UIS promotes academic mobility and expands opportunities for cooperation and dual-degree programs for students and faculty.
This meeting reaffirms both parties’ commitment to consolidating a strategic alliance that promotes scientific, academic, and cultural exchange, for the benefit of institutional development and the strengthening of the university community.
