The inaugural meeting and the first meeting of the first Council of Institute for International People-to-People Exchange in Mining, Metallurgy and Metals Industries were held at USTB.

In the opening remarks, USTB President Prof. YANG Renshu introduced overall development of the school in recent years. He said that the establishment of the Council was of great significance because it would modernize the governance system, and promote the open, cooperative and win-win development of the Institute.

Prof. FENG Qiang, Director of the Office of International Affairs, USTB, reported on the preparation and establishment of the Institute. He introduced the concept and related mechanisms of people-to-people exchanges, together with the background, preparation and industry selection considerations of the Institute. He also spoke of the strategic significance of people-to-people exchanges in the opening up of education and a community with a shared future for mankind in the new era.

Ms. XIA Juan, Associate Directors of the CCIPE, delivered a speech on behalf of the co-construction organization. She said that people-to-people exchanges would lay a foundation for building “Belt and Road” and a community with a shared future for mankind. “Belt and Road” brings both opportunities and challenges for mining, metallurgy and metals industries. These enterprises need to build people-to-people links when going abroad. So it's exactly the original aspiration and mission for the Institute to promote effective cooperation and sustainable development through people-to-people exchanges.

Prof. CHEN Hongwei, Executive Vice President of the Institute, reported on the draft of Institute’s charter and its 2021 work plan, and looked forward to its eight major research directions and international talent training programs for serving the “going out” of Chinese enterprises.

The Council members approved the Institute’s charter and conducted in-depth exchanges on the 2021 work plan to clarify its orientation and work focus. Their suggestions involve strengthening industrial chain research, giving full play to the leading role of materials disciplines, integrating foreign human resources, performing technical professional training, improving cross-cultural awareness and sustainability of humanities research.

On behalf of the Council, USTB Chancellor Mr. WU Guilong said that the Institute would work towards a new platform with multiple functions covering academic research, decision-making consultation, technical services, personnel training, people-to-people exchanges and cultural conservation, so as to promote exchanges and cooperation among governments, universities and enterprises, and boost the “going global” of mining and steel enterprises while promoting cultural exchanges and mutual learning, and contributing to a community with a shared future for mankind.