2015 was an eventful year for Renmin University in terms of international exchanges. RUC’s International Office hosted a number of foreign dignitaries, including three heads of state, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister, and the former prime ministers of Canada and of Bulgaria, among others. Some of last year’s visitors to Renmin were awarded honorary academic titles, while presidents, deans, research institute directors, and other representatives from universities around the world came to discuss collaborative projects with RUC leadership. New partnerships were forged with schools abroad, including the launch of new student and faculty exchange programs. RUC’s Confucius Institute Affairs Office continued its work of promoting Chinese language and culture overseas, and noted RUC scholars, including RUC professor and celebrated artist DING Fang, introduced their works and scholarship abroad. Below we list just some of the highlights of the past year: In January, Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solís visited RUC, where he gave a talk on Latin America’s role in an increasingly globalized world. President Solís was also awarded an honorary doctorate on this occasion. In July, 2015, RUC Professor DING Fang headed to Italy for an international art symposium and art exhibition, Renaissance in the East.
 DING Fang put forward his concept of an “Eastern Renaissance,” which pursues a return to China’s cultural roots and engages the experience of the Western Renaissance as a civilizational counterpart. In August, Renmin University hosted the 2015 G20 Think Tank Summit,
“Global Governance and Open Economy.” On September 2nd, the Chinese Vice Premier and the Russian Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs jointly launched the RUC-Saint Petersburg State University Research Center, RUC’s first research institute specializing in studies on Russia.  At the end of September, France’s Finance Minister, Michel Sapin, came to Renmin University
to and gave a special lecture.  Mid October, 2015, the President of Greek Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades, visited RUC to hold a special lecture and receive an honorary professorship. In his lecture, President Anastasiades shared his views on the Belt and Road Initiative, which he holds will not only connect countries economically, but create important avenues for cultural exchange, as well as build a basis for collaboration in research, development, and innovation. December saw the visit of another head of state, this time Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, who on the occasion of his visit and lecture at RUC was also awarded an honorary professorship. From December 14th to 15th, Renmin University of China hosted the Kickoff Meeting for the China T20, the think tank summit accompanying the annual G20 meeting, with the theme: “Towards an Innovative, Invigorated, Interconnected and Inclusive World Economy.” Also in December: RUC Vice President YI Zhihong and other RUC delegates attended the Tenth Worldwide Confucius Institute Conference in Shanghai. And finally, for the year 2015, Renmin University’s MBA program was ranked among the top 50 MBA programs worldwide. See Financial Times Global MBA Rankings.