Renmin University of China (RUC) held the opening ceremony of 2024 International Summer School. The event features over 150 professors from more than 20 countries and regions, delivering courses and lectures to over 3,300 students from nearly 30 countries and regions.
Feng Shizheng, Vice President of RUC attended the opening ceremony and delivered a speech. The ceremony saw the participation of over 300 attendees, including representatives of the faculty and administrative departments, and representatives of both domestic and international students and teachers.
In his address, Feng highlighted the goal of the International Summer School to nurture internationally-minded, cross-culturally adept talents capable of contributing to global governance and offering Chinese solutions to global issues. He emphasized that by integrating high-quality international educational resources and welcoming outstanding international students, the program provides a robust platform for international education. This initiative aims to enhance the supply of high-quality international education resources, improve the internationalization of talent cultivation, and promote international exchange and cooperation.
Feng reiterated RUC's commitment to international exchange and cooperation, emphasizing the importance of dialogue between Western and Chinese civilizations. He stressed the university’s focus on developing talents with a global perspective, proficiency in foreign languages, and familiarity with international norms and negotiations, thereby supporting China’s active participation in global governance and addressing global challenges.
The opening ceremony was hosted by Wu Jian, Director of the Academic Affairs Office of RUC.
Beverly J. Silver, Professor of Sociology and Director of the Arrighi Center for Global Studies at Johns Hopkins University, spoke as the representative of the visiting faculty. She highlighted the core value of international educational exchange and shared her experiences and insights gained from regular visits to China since 1993. Silver hoped that the program would play an increasingly vital role in fostering international educational cooperation and exchange.
Xie Lenyu, Professor at RUC’s School of Applied Economics and Executive Director of the Institute of Peace and Development, spoke on behalf of the local faculty. She introduced her course “China's Approach to Poverty Reduction and Development” and encouraged students and teachers to deepen their mutual understanding through the program's courses and daily interactions.
Jonas Kager, an undergraduate student from University College Dublin, spoke on behalf of international students, sharing his reasons for traveling to China and his love for Chinese history, culture, cuisine, and language. He’s eager to explore Beijing and other cities to gain new experiences and knowledge.
Zhang Yushi, an undergraduate at RUC, shared her experiences from participating in previous summer schools, noting the significant improvement in her English language and academic skills. She emphasized the value of cross-cultural and interdisciplinary learning in broadening her horizons and strengthening her commitment to becoming an internationally competent professional.
The ceremony concluded with a cultural performance segment titled “Harmony Set Sail,” featuring traditional and modern musical performances by RUC’s Arts Education Center and the university choir. The performances symbolized the blending of Eastern and Western cultures, marking the official start of a summer filled with knowledge, friendship, and growth.
Since its inception in 2009, the RUC International Summer School has been a pivotal part of the university’s strategic plan to enhance its international profile. The program has continuously evolved, offering a high-level, multidimensional curriculum that includes general education courses, language training, and professional academic training in English. It aims to cultivate students' professional abilities through comprehensive academic exercises.
To date, the International Summer School has hosted 15 sessions, offering over 1,700 courses, involving more than 1,800 instructors and over 42,000 RUC students, as well as over 5,200 students from other institutions.
