RUC President Chen Yulu met with Prof. Yunus Söylet, Rector of Istanbul University, on November 4, Monday. President Chen Yulu welcomed the delegation for their visit, saying that Istanbul University is a key university in Turkey. Friendly exchanges are maintained between the two universities. RUC will unwaveringly promote academic exchanges with top universities from different cultures in the world. Collaboration with Istanbul University plays an important role in enhancing the internationalization of RUC. President Chen introduced RUC in such aspects of history, status and strong disciplines. “RUC faculty and students have the desire to participate in exchanges and study in Turkish universities. We also embrace Turkish student for their studying in RUC,” said Chen. Appreciating for the warmly reception from RUC, Rector Yunus Söylet said that Istanbul University attaches importance to the exchanges with RUC, which is the first university established after the founding of People’s Republic of China. Currently, there are altogether 162 Chinese students in Istanbul University. He hopes that the number will increase continuously. Rector Yunus Söylet also introduced the exchange program for students and staff, which is launched by Council of Higher Education, Turkey. “I believe that this program will be a great opportunity to promote further collaboration between the two universities,” he said. President Chen suggested that the two universities should accelerate the process of deepening cooperation on student and staff exchange programs. The two presidents assent to accomplish the preparation and signing for the cooperation memorandum and the agreement. Istanbul university delegation also includes Prof. Çiğdem Kayacan, Advisor to the  Retcor, Prof. Mehmet Şükrü Tekbaş, Chairman of International Relations committee, Prof. Bigin Saydam, Dean of Medical School, Metin Küçük, Secretary-General, and Prof. Eyüp Sarıtaş, Director of Department of Chinese. Those who also attended the meeting are Prof. Sun Yu, Dean of School of Liberal Arts and Dr. Zhang Xiaojing, Director of International Office. Founded in 1453, Istanbul University is the oldest university in Turkey and one of the oldst universities in the world. With remarkable influence, Istanbul University has established a completed series of disciplines and consists of 20 undergraduate schools such as Medical School, Theological School, Business School, Law School, Literature School and Engineering School, etc. Meanwhile, there are 7 graduate schools in the fields of medicine, business and social sciences in this university.