Zheng Xinye, Vice President of Renmin University of China (RUC), met with João Nuno Calvão, Vice Rector of the University of Coimbra, and his delegation on the morning of Feb 18th to discuss deepening academic collaboration between the two institutions.

During the meeting, Zheng Xinye emphasized that the University of Coimbra is a key partner of RUC in Portugal, with both universities already engaged in extensive academic cooperation. He expressed confidence that the newly signed faculty-level cooperation agreement would mark a new chapter in their partnership.

Currently, RUC has established academic collaborations with universities in Portuguese-speaking countries such as Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique. Strengthening ties with the University of Coimbra will further enhance RUC’s academic network in the Lusophone world and facilitate scholarly exchanges between China and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Zheng Xinye also highlighted future collaboration opportunities, including student exchange programs and joint research initiatives. He encouraged young scholars from the University of Coimbra to visit RUC through academic exchange programs such as the "Qiushi Scholars" program.

Zheng Xinye further suggested that young researchers from both universities work together on pressing global issues such as artificial intelligence and poverty alleviation. Through these initiatives, the two institutions aim to cultivate young ambassadors of Sino-Portuguese friendship and cross-cultural understanding.

João Nuno Calvão provided an overview of the University of Coimbra’s academic programs and its collaboration models with other universities. He reiterated that cooperation with Chinese universities is a priority for the University of Coimbra’s global strategy and expressed strong confidence in the future of its partnership with RUC.

João Nuno Calvão noted that the university has already established a Confucius Institute and the China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries Research Institute, which focus on traditional Chinese medicine and other specialized fields. Furthermore, it has published academic research in both Chinese and Portuguese.

João Nuno Calvão hoped that future collaborations between the two universities would expand into more academic disciplines and take on diverse forms, leveraging Coimbra’s influence in the Portuguese-speaking world to strengthen Sino-Portuguese educational exchanges and cooperation.

Following the discussions, the RUC School of Arts and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Coimbra signed a cooperation agreement. The delegation then visited the School of Arts for further discussions.