On December 30, the signing and opening ceremony of the Institute for International People-to-People Exchange in Mining, Metallurgy and Metals Industries (hereafter the Institute), jointly established by the China Center for International People-to-People Exchange and USTB, was held in Techart Plaza. Mr. DU Kewei, Chair of the CCIPE, Mr. YANG Xiaochun, Associate Chair of the CCIPE, Ms. TANG Yun, Director of the Department of Major Projects and Activities, Mr. WU Guilong, Chancellor of USTB, Prof. YANG Renshu, President of USTB, Prof. WU Aixiang, Vice President of USTB and heads of relevant functional departments and schools attended the ceremony.

Prof. WU Aixiang presided over the ceremony

Signing and opening ceremony was presided over by Prof. WU Aixiang.

Prof. YANG Renshu delivered a speech on behalf of USTB

Prof. YANG Renshu introduced the history of USTB, its disciplines and the development of the school in the new era to the leaders of the CCIPE. He pointed out that the Institute will depend on the disciplines and combine the characteristics of the mining and steel industries with the needs of enterprise development, creating a new platform which will unite academic research, consultation and technical services, personnel training, cultural exchange and cultural inheritance together so as to promote cooperation between government, universities and enterprises, while aiming to promote people-to-people cultural exchanges.

Mr. YANG Xiaochun delivered a speech on behalf on CCIPE

Mr. YANG Xiaochun put forward three requirements for the construction of the Institute. Firstly, the construction should aim to meet political requisites and act as a platform for disseminating humanistic ideas. Secondly, the construction should adhere to a results-oriented ideology and strengthen the top-down strategy of the Institute. Thirdly, the Institute should adhere to innovative thinking, relying USTB’s strengths in mining and steel in order to expand the development path of the Institute.

Mr. DU Kewei, Mr. YANG Xiaochun, Mr. WU Guilong and Prof. YANG Renshu unveiled the Institute

Mr. DU Kewei and Prof. YANG Renshu signed the cooperation agreement of the Institute for International People-to-People Exchange in Mining, Metallurgy and Metals Industries on behalf of their respective sides. Mr. DU Kewei, Mr. YANG Xiaochun, Mr. WU Guilong and Prof. YANG Renshu then unveiled the plaque of the Institute.

Mr. DU Kewei delivered a speech

Mr. DU explained the profound significance and rich history of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries in his report. He pointed out that the establishment of the Institute is of far-reaching significance for promoting cultural exchanges in mining and steel industries. Mr. DU shared his thoughts on the work of colleges and universities in promoting international exchanges. He stressed that the concept of people-to-people and cultural exchanges and cooperation should be integrated into all fields of foreign exchanges, so as to guide the international cooperation strategies of universities with the goal of being people-centered, open, equal, respectful and inclusive, ensuring mutual learning and win-win cooperation, upholding the right concept of justice and interests, and achieving sustainable development.

Mr. WU Guilong delivered a speech

Mr.WU Guilong, Director of the Institute for International People-to-People Exchange in Mining, Metallurgy and Metals Industries, expressed in his speech that USTB attached great importance to the construction and development of the Institute. In the future, USTB will give full play to the collaborative advantages of multiple disciplines and departments, make the Institute distinctive and effective, and fulfill the mission of cultural and people-to-people exchanges between China and foreign countries.

Prof. CHEN Hongwei reported the overall preparation and construction of the Institute

After the ceremony, the first working conference was held for the Institute. At the conference, Prof. CHEN Hongwei, Executive Associate Dean of the Institute gave a report on the preliminary preparation, operation and management, development ideas and long-term and short-term work objectives of the Institute. The two sides had an in-depth discussion on the overall planning and management of the Institute, and defined the key work plan for the next steps in terms of think tank research, project cooperation, scientific research and people-to-people exchanges.