Vice President of Beijing Foreign Studies University Yan Guohua ledd a delegation to visit Ireland from 10 to 14 in April 2016. During the 5 days, the delegation paid their visit to famous Irish universities like Trinity College Dublin (TCD), University College Dublin (UCD) and National University of Ireland Maynooth as well as the top think tank The Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA). The delegation also visited Department of Education & Skills and Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade.

On 11 April, BFSU delegation visited TCD, the most reputable world-class university in Ireland. The delegation held an in-depth discussion with heads in charge of international cooperation and some other departments in TCD on affairs like implementing the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two universities in October 2015, developing research cooperation in Irish Studies and Chinese Studies, as well as the exchange of students between the two universities.

The next day, the delegation visited the Institute of International and European Affairs, the famous think-tank on international affairs in Ireland. The BFSU representatives had a multi-lateral talk there with Brendan Halligan (President of the IIEA and former General Secretary of Irish Labour Party) and Tom Arnorld (Secretary-General of the IIEA) on behalf of the IIEA as well as the representatives from TCD and UCD. The participants decided to take full advantage of the resources that IIEA possesses in the field of European studies and establish research groups and make clear research schedules. They also made further discussions on matters like creating an innovative model of cooperation between BFSU, TCD and IIEA, introducing practical course system and internship projects from EU headquarter in Brussels, and setting up the association of talents cultivation and scientific research on European affairs (Sino-EU and Sino-Ireland relations in particular). According to President Halligan’s proposal, BFSU, as the cooperative partner of the IIEA, will get involved in the establishment of the institute of Irish and Chinese affairs.

Following the talk, President Yan addressed a keynote speech on the history and current status of the internationalization of Chinese higher education, and prospect of Sino-EU and Sino-Ireland educational cooperation. Seán Ó Foghlú, Secretary of Irish Department of Education and Skills, attended the activities above and had discussions with President Yan on the department’s cooperation with BFSU on 2016 China Education Expo.

Later on 12 April, BFSU delegation also went to University College Dublin and had a meeting with the heads in charge of international affairs and some other departments on deepening cooperation between the two universities. The two sides agree that BFSU, from September 2016 on, will send 1 or 2 postgraduates in School of English and International Studies to study at UCD for each semester. With further cooperation, the two universities will expect a larger amount of exchange students from a wider range of disciplines. UCD is also committed to participating in the talent cultivation of Irish teaching in BFSU.

The delegation also paid its visit to the UCD Confucius Institute and held discussions with its presidents on the constructive experience of the Confucius institute and bilateral communication and cooperation.

On 13 April, BFSU visited National University of Ireland Maynooth and held a talk with its Vice President Professor Aidan Mulkeen and heads of some other departments. The two universities decided to include the item of student exchange in the original agreement and apply from the Irish government for a project grant on Irish teaching at BFSU.

In the end, the delegation paid a visit to Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade and Department of Education & Skills. The three parts agreed on affairs like continuing the Irish government’s support of the construction of Irish Studies Center at BFSU and BFSU’s participation in relevant activities of 2016 China Education Expo at which Ireland will be the Country of Honor.

The delegation was accompanied by Ke Jing, Director of the Office for International Exchange and Cooperation, Zhang Xiaohui, Director of the Office for Confucius Institute and Wang Zhanpeng, Vice Dean of School of English and International Studies.