On the afternoon of April 6, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) held an inter-university online meeting with Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Romania to exchange opinions on the establishment of the Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy Confucius Institute and other inter-university affairs concerning exchange and cooperation. Academician You Zheng, President of HUST, Vlad Eusebiu Gorduza and Liliana Georgeta Foia, Vice Presidents of Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, participated in the meeting hosted by Vice President Chen Jianguo from HUST.

President You Zheng delivered a speech on behalf of HUST. He pointed out that distance does not impede cooperation and friendship between the two universities. For instance, the Confucius Institute at Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, the first bilateral key cooperative project, is a paramount starting point and bears witness to the continuation of the traditional friendship between the Chinese and Romanian peoples. You Zheng gave an introduction to the disciplines and subjects, characteristics and achievements of HUST’s educational programs, focusing on the history, disciplines, scientific research and social contributions of Tongji Medical College and affiliated hospitals at the meeting. He emphasized the important role the Confucius Institute is playing in promoting cultural exchange and communication between China and the rest of the world. He also expressed his heartfelt expectations for future cooperation between Huazhong University of Science and Technology and Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy in terms of faculty and student exchanges, scientific research cooperation, bilateral academic conferences and academic activities.

Professor Viorel Scripcariu, President of Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, was unable to attend the conference on time due to extreme weather conditions on his return to the university. On his behalf, Vice President Vlad Eusebiu Gorduza delivered a speech and conveyed Prof. Viorel Scripcariu’s apologies and greetings. He gave a detailed presentation on the history of Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy and its current academic structure, research characteristics and achievements. He expressed his expectations to take this meeting as an opportunity to carry out extensive and in-depth cooperation and exchange with HUST in pertinent disciplines in the future.

The two universities then thoroughly discussed the preparations for the launch of the Confucius Institute at Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy and exchanged opinions on the nomination of its board members and the selection of deans. During the meeting, Chen Jie, Director of the Office of International Affairs of HUST, also made a detailed introduction to the overall international exchange of HUST and made suggestions on cooperation affairs based on the disciplinary characteristics of the two universities.

Andreea Dobrea Iacobescu, Director of the International Exchange Office of Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Associate Professor Magdalena Cuciureanu of the School of Medicine, Gabriela Cuciureanu, Principal Secretary to the President, and Professor Zhou Liping, Dean of the School of International Education of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and Professor Shu Xiaogang, Vice Dean of Tongji Medical College, attended the meeting.

It is reported that Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy was formerly known as Grigore T. Popa Medical School in 1879. Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy is the first Romanian medical education and research institution to be listed in the 2017-2018 Times Higher Education World University Rankings and was ranked 201-300 in the first Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The European University Association (EUA) reported that Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy is a leader in the field of medicine in Europe. In October 2022, Huazhong University of Science and Technology signed a tripartite agreement with Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy and the Chinese International Education Foundation to co-construct the Confucius Institute at the university. In January of this year, the Confucius Institute of Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy received an authorization letter issued by the Chinese International Foundation for Chinese language education.

Source: School of International Education

Written by: Liu Yuang

Edited by: Luo Xiaofan, Chang Wen, Peng Yumeng