On the morning of October 20, 2024, Professor Xu Wei, Deputy Dean of the African Studies Institute at Zhejiang Normal University and doctoral supervisor, was invited to our school to give an academic lecture titled “The Practice and Exploration of Zhejiang Normal University in Building China's Regional and Country Studies in the New Era.” She shared valuable experiences and profound insights from Zhejiang Normal University’s development in the field of regional and country studies. This lecture was part of the Famous Scholars Forum series at Northwest University and marked the thirty-fifth session of the SFL's guest lecture series. Professor Cao Ruonan, Dean of the SFL, hosted the lecture.
Focusing on the development of the African Studies Institute at Zhejiang Normal University, Professor Xu Wei shared practical experiences and innovative explorations in the fields of discipline construction, talent cultivation, think tank development, and international cooperation. She detailed the evolution of the African Studies Institute, emphasized that its development is closely aligned with national strategic needs and local development, serving the “Belt and Road” initiative and the cooperation needs between China and African countries, while providing intellectual support for national and social development. In terms of talent cultivation, the institute has consistently adhered to a “six-in-one” training plan, integrating discipline construction with media communication and collaborative innovation, aiming to cultivate interdisciplinary talents with an international perspective and an affinity for Africa. Professor Xu noted that the African Studies Institute has not only achieved significant results in academic research but has also become one of the first new-type think tanks in Zhejiang Province, actively striving for recognition as a national high-end think tank. In the realm of international cooperation, the institute has established close partnerships with numerous universities and research institutions in African countries, promoting cultural exchange and scientific collaboration between China and Africa, and providing robust scientific evidence and strategic recommendations for national policy-making. Looking to the future, she stated that the institute will continue to deepen the construction of regional and country studies, enhance the quality of talent cultivation, and aim for breakthroughs in national-level teaching achievement awards and social science awards, contributing more wisdom to the country’s diplomatic and development strategies.
Professor Wang Xin’gang, Deputy Dean of the Regional and Country Studies Institute and Director of the Africa Research Center at Northwest University, highly praised the lecture in his summary, fully acknowledged the practices and innovations of the African Studies Institute at Zhejiang Normal University and noted that its experiences provide important references for the development of regional and country studies at other universities. Through this lecture, our faculty and students gained a deep understanding of the importance of regional and country studies and their unique role in serving national strategies and promoting international exchange and cooperation, further recognizing the responsibility and commitment of universities in advancing national diplomacy and global governance.
Host: Professor Cao Ruonan
Speaker: Researcher Xu Wei
Venue
Group Photo
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