Talk on China-Europe Academic Partnership with Prof. Wei Shen
October 16, 2024
The Faculty of East Asian Studies and the Centre for EU-Asia Connectivity (CEAC) at Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB), a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, welcomed Prof. Wei Shen, Qiushi Distinguished Chair Professor in the Department of Political Science at Zhejiang University, for a compelling lecture on the evolving dynamics of academic partnerships between China and Europe. Prof. Shen’s lecture, titled “Change by Exchange? Opportunities and Challenges for China-Europe Academic Partnership,” drew a diverse audience of faculty, students, and international relations professionals.
Held on October 16 at OAW-RUB, Prof. Shen’s talk emphasised the transformative potential of academic exchange in fostering mutual understanding, while also addressing the complex challenges of bridging diverse educational, political, and cultural contexts.
Prof. Wei Shen, a leading figure in EU-China relations and holder of the Jean Monnet Chair in EU-China Relations, brings extensive expertise to the topic. During his talk, Prof. Shen explored the dual roles of universities in the realms of diplomacy and cultural exchange, highlighting the importance of collaborative research and educational initiatives as a means to address pressing global challenges. Prof. Shen’s lecture highlighted both the opportunities and the obstacles inherent in EU-China academic collaborations. While these partnerships offer avenues for shared innovation, cross-cultural learning, and the development of global competencies, Prof. Shen noted that differences in regulatory frameworks, funding mechanisms, and institutional priorities often complicate collaboration. He spoke on the role of joint programmes, cross-border research projects, and student mobility programmes in deepening EU-China relations, illustrating how academic partnerships provide unique pathways to understanding and cooperation in an increasingly multipolar world.
As Vice-President of the Europe Asia Centre in Brussels and Editor-in-Chief of the Asia Europe Journal, Prof. Shen is actively engaged in fostering connections between European and Asian academic communities. His roles on advisory boards for numerous international universities and business schools further underscore his commitment to enhancing global academic collaboration.
During his visit to Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Prof. Wei Shen also engaged in discussions concerning a potential publication. This publication would build upon insights from the recent workshop, “EU Responses to Chinese Investments in European Strategic Sectors,” held on April 11-12, 2024, at RUB. Jointly organised by the China Europe Research Network (CHERN), COST Action, and the Centre for EU-Asia Connectivity (CEAC), the workshop brought together experts to examine the implications of Chinese investments in critical European industries. The proposed publication aims to consolidate the findings and reflections from this workshop, providing a comprehensive analysis of the EU’s strategic responses to China’s growing influence in sensitive sectors. This collaborative effort exemplifies the continuing academic partnership between CEAC and prominent scholars like Prof. Shen, further contributing to the scholarly discourse on EU-China relations and enhancing the impact of CEAC’s research on international policy.
As an affiliate researcher at CEAC, Prof. Shen’s lecture aligned with the center’s mission to promote deeper understanding and cooperation between Europe and Asia. CEAC, as a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, is dedicated to advancing scholarly and public engagement in EU-Asia relations. The event with Prof. Shen exemplifies CEAC’s commitment to facilitating dialogues that explore the intersections of academic, political, and economic collaboration between Europe and Asia.
