Dec. 16 – For several years now, the University of Macerata has established a solid relationship with the Normal University of Beijing thanks to cultural exchanges, cooperation projects, collaborations in teaching and research…The latest confirmation of this now partnership between the two institutions comes during the Ninth World Conference of Confucius Institutes, which was held last week in Xiamen. On this occasion new and crucial developments in the relations between the University of Macerata and China were established: The event was attended by over two thousand delegates from Confucius Institutes and universities in 126 countries. This year, the Confucius Institute in Macerata – which last year was awarded the best individual performance – dominated the scene, both at the world conference (where Dean Luigi Lacchè, president of the Institute, and director Giorgio Trentin chaired and coordinated two major forums), and in the one-on-one sessions with other Confucius Institutes, including four in the US. Francesca Spigarelli, director of the China Center at the University of Macerata, proposed to enhance the Confucius network of Normal, through joint research and dissemination programs as well as the study of urban inclusive solutions, to be proposed at Horizon 2020 calls for proposals. In addition, the secretary of the party at Normal University, Liu Chuansheng, showed extreme interest in the project to transform Villa Lauri in Macerata in a large international hub of Chinese culture in Italy and Europe, strengthening the China Center as a platform for economic and investment research and analysis between Italy, Europe and China.
