Opening a new chapter in our relationship with Beijing Union University

This week’s post is by Dr Thomas Jansen, Lecturer in Chinese Studies and Director of the Confucius Institute at UWTSD Lampeter. 

At the end of February Beijing Union University (BUU) received a delegation from the Faculty of Humanities and Performing Arts for a two-day visit to BUU’s main campus, not far from the famous Bird’s Nest Stadium. The delegation, led by Dean of Faculty Dr Jeremy Smith, coincided with the Advisory Board meeting of the Confucius Institute at UWTSD which was established in partnership with BUU on the Lampeter Campus in 2007.

Our recent visit marks the beginning of Faculty-level collaboration between the Faculty of Humanities and Performing Arts at UWTSD and the Faculty of Applied Humanities at BUU. The two Faculties agreed on a range of projects in the areas of Cultural Heritage, Archaeology and History on the Lampeter Campus, and longer term, in Art and Tourism.

From 2017 onwards the two Faculties will organise an Annual Archaeology Summer Camp. In 2018, Lampeter students can for the first time participate in an archaeological excavation in China. BUU’s highly rated Department of History, Cultural Heritage and Museology is one of only 15 Chinese institutions licensed to conduct archaeological excavations across China.

BUU has established a scholarship with a fund of 200,000 RMB (£22,500) to attract UWTSD students to come to study at BUU and immerse themselves into Chinese culture and language.

Our short trip, which took us via Dubai, was packed with visits and conversations. My personal favourite as always: the student-run Union Café and food court below the Library.