To further enhance the influence of the "Study in China" brand and promote student exchange and inter-university cooperation between China and the Czech Republic, the Ministry of Education’s China Study Abroad Service Center organized a delegation to Prague, Czech Republic, to hold the "Study in China" Education Fair on December 2, 2024. The fair was hosted by the University of Finance and Administration in Prague, with the Confucius Institute jointly established by China Jiliang University and the University of Finance and Administration acting as a co-organizer.
Since 1999, the China Study Abroad Service Center has organized 91 education fairs, hosting 185 events in over 50 cities across more than 30 countries. These fairs have attracted participation from 2,021 Chinese universities and have been attended by over 570,000 visitors. With the growing influence of the "Study in China" education fair, it has become a distinctive brand and scaled event. The fair not only promotes the advancement of China's higher education but also facilitates the development of international student programs and deepens mutual understanding and recognition between China and other countries. The event has received strong support and recognition from foreign leaders and educational and cultural departments at various levels.
The "Study in China" fair in Prague marks a key event for the delegation, following their participation in the International Education Fair in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The fair was held in the Bohemia Hall of the Boccaccio Hotel in Prague’s Old Town, a venue renowned for its Baroque-style architecture.
The delegation consisted of representatives from 14 universities in China, including Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing Normal University, Central Academy of Fine Arts, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Hunan University, Kunming Medical University, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Northeastern University, East China University of Political Science and Law, Tianjin University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, University of International Business and Economics, and Zhejiang University. The participating universities represent a diverse range of high-quality higher education resources in China, including well-known comprehensive institutions, specialized universities, and institutions with regional characteristics.
On December 2, 2024, Ambassador Feng Biao of the Chinese Embassy in the Czech Republic and other relevant figures from the Czech education sector attended the event and engaged in warm exchanges with the Chinese universities exhibiting at the fair.
At the opening ceremony of the "Study in China" Education Fair, Ambassador Feng delivered a speech, emphasizing that education is a bridge that connects people’s hearts and serves as an important link in bilateral relations. He highlighted that educational exchange and cooperation have long been a key component of China-Czech collaboration. This exhibition provides a rare opportunity for various sectors in the Czech Republic to gain a closer understanding of Chinese higher education. Ambassador Feng expressed his hope that Czech students would be able to discover the high-quality resources and abundant opportunities in China’s higher education system, while also experiencing the warmth and inclusivity of Chinese universities. He also looked forward to more Czech universities and academic institutions collaborating with their Chinese counterparts, injecting greater vitality and innovative elements into bilateral educational cooperation. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Czech Republic. Ambassador Feng sincerely hoped that the fair would serve as a new platform for enhancing exchanges and deepening cooperation between the universities of the two countries, offering more channels and choices for Czech students wishing to study in China. He firmly believed that through this education fair, both sides would explore new cooperation opportunities, injecting new momentum into the development of education in both nations.
Xia Jianhui, Deputy Director of the China Education Ministry’s Study Abroad Service Center, delivered a speech, stating that this is the first time the "Study in China" Education Fair has been held in the Czech Republic. He expressed the hope that this event would promote the exchange of students between China and the Czech Republic. It aims to showcase China’s high-quality educational resources to Czech students and invite them to study in China, while also offering greater insights into Czech education and universities, encouraging Chinese students to pursue studies in the Czech Republic.
Bohuslava Šenkýřová, Rector of the University of Finance and Administration in Prague, stated that the education fair has built a bridge to promote Czech-China educational exchanges. It provides Czech students with a valuable opportunity to learn about China and study in China. She also highlighted that the event has deepened the Czech side's understanding of Chinese universities, laying a solid foundation for future cooperation.
High school and university students, as well as members of the local community in the Czech Republic, showed great interest in studying in China and actively participated in the event. Students continuously approached the various booths for inquiries. At last, over 500 people attended the event.
