From November 24th to 30th, Vice President Miao Yuchen of Henan University (HENU) led a delegation on a friendly exchange visit to Spain and Saudi Arabia. The delegation visited the Universidad Europea de Madrid, King Abdulaziz University, and the Golden Land Institute of Higher Education in Saudi Arabia.

On November 24th, the delegation arrived at the Universidad Europea de Madrid and received a warm welcome. Both parties engaged in in-depth discussions on joint graduate training programs, and finalized curriculum requirements, credit exchange rules and the framework for a joint management committee. The delegation also engaged in dialogues with various deans and lab directors, reaching a consensus on cooperative research and mutual visits of researchers in fields such as physical education, life and health sciences, artificial intelligence, and biological agriculture, aiming to pool international resources and promote disciplinary development.

Group photo of the delegation with Elena Gazapo, president of the Universidad Europea de Madrid, and deans

They visited the university and experienced its teaching and research environment. Natividad Perez Villalobos, Dean of the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, and Luis Calandre Burgueros, Director of the Creative Campus Lab, showcased their teaching and research facilities. Both sides agreed on talent cultivation concepts during the exchange, emphasizing the importance of practical skills, thereby laying a foundation for future cooperation.

The delegation was observing the experimental course instruction at Universidad Europea de Madrid’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

On November 25th, they visited the Real Madrid Graduate School and the Real Madrid Stadium, where Ricardo Gallego, the Asia-Pacific Regional Director of the Real Madrid Foundation, introduced the stadium design and training philosophy. In-depth discussions were held on physical education cooperation and soccer training summer camp programs, covering details like courses, faculty, recruitment and venue usage.

Group photo of Mr. Ricardo Gallego with the delegation at the Real Madrid Stadium

From November 27th to 28th, the delegation visited King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia, meeting with Vice President Hana Abdullah Al-Nuaim, Dean Abed Mohaned of the Faculty of Science and Culture, and other leaders. Vice President Hana mentioned Saudi Arabia’s rapid economic development and technological progress, expressing interest in Chinese culture and history. She hoped to strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation, especially in light of the 2025 China-Saudi Cultural Exchange Year, looking forward to collaboration with HENU in traditional culture and modern technology. Miao Yuchen learned about Saudi Arabia’s economic and agricultural development, hoping to initiate scientific research cooperation and joint graduate training programs in agriculture, chemistry and environmental studies under the “China-Arab Universities 10+10 Cooperation Plan”.

During the visit, the delegation also toured the university’s auditorium, library, and sports college, deepening their understanding of the university’s educational philosophy and resource allocation. Both parties look forward to in-depth cooperation in various fields to promote China-Saudi relations.

Group photo of the delegation with Vice President Hana Abdullah Al-Nuaim and related college leaders

The delegation was touring the library of King Abdulaziz University

On November 29th, the delegation visited the Golden Land Higher Training Institute, where they had in-depth exchanges with Prince Nayef Bin Fawaz Alshalan, the Chairman of the Institute, and Mr. Wang Jianxing, President of the Institute. They discussed the details of “Chinese Language + Art” and “Chinese Language + Vocational Technology” training cooperation and signed a memorandum of cooperation. Additionally, they explored Chinese language teacher training, China-Saudi cultural exchange programs, and joint organization of multicultural activities to deepen educational and cultural cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia.

Vice President Miao Yuchen and Chairman Alshalan of the Golden Land Higher Training Institute were signing the memorandum of cooperation

The Universidad Europea de Madrid, founded in 1989, is one of Spain’s top private universities, known for its psychology and business programs. It was recommended by China’s Ministry of Education in 2017. The university ranks 25th globally in physical education and has established a graduate school in cooperation with Real Madrid. Since 2023, HENU has reached a cooperation intention in physical education and other fields with the university and signed a framework agreement in 2024.

The King Abdulaziz University, founded in 1967, ranks 143rd in the 2024 QS rankings and is one of the Arab’s top universities. It boasts advanced research facilities dedicated to interdisciplinary research and global technological development.

The Golden Land Higher Training Institute, located in Riyadh, was established in 2019. It offers four majors including Chinese language education. Since 2019, it has cooperated with China’s Ministry of Education to set up a Chinese Proficiency Test center and established a Chinese learning test center in 2022.