A student exchange initiative between Chinese and Italian universities was launched at Peking University on Saturday, bolstering the drive to double the number of European youths on exchange programs in China during the coming three years.

The launch ceremony was part of a dialogue between Chinese and Italian university presidents, which aims at enhancing educational communication and cooperation between the two countries and cultivating high-quality talents.

Representatives from about 50 universities from the two countries attended the event and engaged in a joint conversation on higher education cooperation, innovation collaboration, and high-level talents cultivation.

Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng addressed the dialogue, saying China will adhere to educational opening-up, up-scale academic exchanges and educational cooperation with other countries including Italy, actively participate in global education governance, and contribute to global education reform and development.

He underscored the need for Chinese and Italian universities to deepen their collaboration in academic research, to meet the challenges faced by all humanity.

“Universities in both countries should enhance cooperation in the fields of basic sciences, emerging disciplines, and interdisciplinary studies; cultivate talents and leaders of the future; and jointly conduct research on fundamental theories and key technologies,” Huai said.

At the event, a series of cooperation agreements on academic research and exchange were signed between 11 Chinese and Italian universities.

Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in Wuhan, Central China’s Hubei province, and Sapienza University, from Rome, Italy, signed a letter of intent to jointly build an international center of interdisciplinary research.

“We plan to carry out cooperation on building the interdisciplinary subject of AI and law, which is the first of its kind,” said Oliviero Diliberto, a representative from Sapienza University of Rome.

Beijing Foreign Studies University and University for Foreigners Perugia signed an agreement on cultural and technological cooperation that will accelerate smarter language learning by drawing upon technologies, such as AI tutors and online learning platforms, according to Valerio De Cesaris, president of the University for Foreigners Perugia.

Wang Dinghua, director of the university affairs committee at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said: “Students should not only have the knowledge of arts and humanities, but also AI and scientific competencies, so that they can better adapt to the rapid changing world and the future of the world.”

Huai, the education minister, also announced that the ministry will provide at least five exchange opportunities for each participating university and cover all expenses during the exchange students’ stay in China.

“It is hoped that universities in both countries can leverage on various forms of exchanges, such as short-term visits, student exchanges, summer schools, and joint supervision, in a bid to facilitate more profound communication between Chinese and Italian youths and inject more energy to the future development of the bilateral relationship,” Huai said.

Giorgia, a 23-year-old international student from Italy who has enrolled in a one-year language program at BFSU, told China Daily cultural exchanges of this kind are very important, because they allow for more intercultural communication and understanding between people from different backgrounds and help eliminate misconceptions about China.

Xu Nuo contributed to this story.