UrFU Launches Center for Chinese and Asia-Pacific Studies

The Center for Chinese and Asian-Pacific Studies opened at Ural Federal University on February 6. The event was attended by Victor Koksharov, the university’s rector, Lyudmila Berg, the Deputy Minister of International and Foreign Economic Relations of the Sverdlovsk Region, and Elvira Symanyuk, the Director of the Ural Institute of Humanities.

“There are significant changes in the internationalization of higher education and science, including a shift of educational centers towards the East. This shift presents new opportunities for universities, such as the creation of joint programs and research, particularly in the APAC countries. The QS World University Rankings 2022 indicate that 99 of the top 300 universities in the world are located in the APAC region,” says Victoria Belyaeva, Director of the Faculty of International Relations.

The Ural Institute of Humanities, in close cooperation with the Faculty of International Relations, opened the Center for Chinese and Asian-Pacific Studies project structure. This decision was based on a combination of factors, including research by the Faculty of International Relations staff and the establishment the Bachelor’s degree program in Chinese Language and Chinese Studies at the Department of Oriental Studies.

Victoria Belyaeva stated that the center will conduct scientific research and organize international events and conferences with universities of the APAC group. The new project structure will also assist in launching joint educational programs.

The opening of the Center for Chinese and Asian-Pacific Studies is expected to generate interest in this significant region and enhance cultural and academic ties between the university and foreign partners.