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The Rector of the University, together with a delegation from the ½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ recently visited Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU). Forming part of the delegation were Pro-Rector for Internationalisation and Quality Assurance , Head of the , and Director, . H.E Mr John Busuttil, Ambassador of Malta in China accompanied the delegation on their visit to BFSU.

A programme of Maltese language and Culture has been running at BFSU since 2013. A total of 25 students are presently enrolled on this elective course with a further 100 students having successfully pursued this course over the last 4 years. As a leading, highly ranked university, BFSU prides itself as the University that provides teaching in the largest number of languages offering a total of 101 different languages.

The ½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ delegation had the opportunity to join the Maltese class held on 13 April. Following a brief greeting by Prof.Jinjing Xu, Head of the Maltese Language Program, School of European Languages and Cultures, the students individually introduced themselves in Maltese.

The Rector’s visit coincided with the ICM-funded visit of from the and from the who carried out a two week stay at BFSU holding classes and meetings focused on strengthening academic collaboration and support between the ½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ and BFSU.

Following the encounter in class, the Ambassador and the ½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ delegation were received for a meeting by the President of BFSU Prof. Jian Wenjian and other senior leaders. They discussed current and future collaboration in the different areas where the ½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ and BFSU have been closely engaging over the years. The Rector made reference to the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two universities in 2013, noting that the intentions expressed in the MoU have been fulfilled and the ½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ remains committed to continue fulfilling them and expanding on them in the years to come.

The Rector presented a donation of books to BFSU to supplement the teaching and learning resources of the Maltese programme. Plans are underway to share and develop other digital and online resources for the benefit of Chinese students. Copies of L-Analetti Konfuċju, a translation from Chinese to Maltese by Dr Salvatore Giuffre’, edited and revised by , were also presented to BFSU.

Prof. Yao Bin, Vice Dean of the School of Translation who has been collaborating with Prof.Sergio Portelli, from the ½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ’s was also present for the meeting.

Prof. Vella thanked Prof. Jian for the warm welcome and for all the arrangements made to receive the ½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ delegation. He extended the ½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ’s appreciation towards Prof.Jinjing Xu for the extensive contribution towards the teaching of Maltese language and culture and the ½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ and BFSU academics for their close collaboration over the years.

The Rector also extended formal thanks to the Embassy of Malta in China for its unwavering commitment and active support to the Maltese programme and the ½ñÈÕºÚÁÏ’s engagement efforts in China.