On the afternoon of October 15, José Manuel Albares Bueno, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain, and his delegation visited the Hangzhou International Campus of Beihang University. Zhao Changlu, Secretary of the CPC Beihang University Committee, met with the guests.

The event was attended by Marta Betanzos Roig, Spanish Ambassador to China; Luis Antonio Calvo Castaño, Spanish Consul General in Shanghai; Esther Gómez, Regional Secretary for Universities of the Generalitat Valenciana; José Esteban Capilla, Rector of the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV); Jose F. Monserrat, Vice Rector of UPV; Chen Ping, Deputy Secretary of the Education Working Committee of the Hangzhou Municipal Committee and Deputy Secretary of the Leading Party Group of the Hangzhou Municipal Education Bureau; Luo Jianqiang, Deputy Head of Yuhang District; Zhao Weisheng, Vice President of Beihang, as well as representatives of teachers and students. The meeting was presided over by Zhao Weisheng.

Zhao Changlu delivers a speech

Zhao Changlu extended a sincere welcome to José Manuel Albares Bueno and his delegation and expressed heartfelt gratitude for their attention and support to the cooperative education programs between Beihang and UPV. He noted that Beihang has achieved fruitful results in its cooperation with Spanish universities, and UPV is one of Beihang's closest partners. On September 27, the China-Spain Institute for Excellent Engineers co-established by the two universities was launched. Following that, Beihang Valencia Polytechnic Institute (BVPI), a high-level educational institution offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs, is also underway and planned to be located at the Hangzhou International Campus of Beihang. He emphasized that, on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Spain, Beihang looks forward to working hand in hand with UPV to successfully establish BVPI, explore a new education paradigm of "China-Spain integration" in the fields such as artificial intelligence and embodied intelligence, cultivate interdisciplinary high-level talents for both countries, further expand the scope of cooperation, and jointly create a brighter future for higher education in the digital intelligence era, contributing wisdom and strength to global sustainable development.

José Esteban Capilla delivers a speech

José Esteban Capilla expressed gratitude to all individuals and institutions who have long cared for and supported the establishment of BVPI. He pointed out that the construction of BVPI is an important milestone in academic, cultural, and technological cooperation between China and Spain. It will serve as a convergence point for innovation, a platform for intellectual exchange, and a cradle for jointly developing solutions, further deepening the productive cooperation between the higher education systems of the two countries for more than two decades. He believed that, through the joint efforts of both sides, cooperation in education, scientific research, and innovation between China and Spain will continue to strengthen, and the college will be built into an exemplary talent cultivation base and a model for the Spanish higher education system.

Esther Gómez delivers a speech

Esther Gómez thanked the individuals and institutions who have actively participated and worked diligently in the establishment of BVPI, praising the professionalism and collaborative enthusiasm demonstrated by all parties in promoting the cooperative education programs. She stated that the advancement of BVPI is a milestone in the history of Spanish higher education, marking a new chapter in academic cooperation between China and Spain and serving as a model for institutional collaboration internationally. UPV and Beihang have profound foundations and have accumulated extensive experience in technological innovation and talent cultivation. Both sides trust and benefit from each other, pursue excellence, and jointly promote the progress of human science and technology. The Generalitat Valenciana will continue to advance the internationalization of higher education and fully support all projects that promote cultural exchange and common development.

José Manuel Albares Bueno delivers a speech

José Manuel Albares Bueno expressed sincere gratitude to all individuals who have contributed their wisdom and efforts to the establishment of BVPI. He emphasized that the development of BVPI is an important milestone in the friendly relations between the two countries, embodying their steadfast commitment to cooperation and mutual understanding, and symbolizing deep mutual trust and shared vision in the field of higher education. In the current complex and ever-changing international landscape, educational cooperation is not only a vital vehicle for knowledge sharing but also a bridge for promoting understanding and rationality. Over the past 20 years, both sides have continuously deepened their bilateral relations and, through practical cooperation, built a comprehensive strategic partnership with greater strategic resilience and developmental vitality. He noted that development and win-win outcomes can only be achieved through cooperation. He expressed hope that, through the joint efforts of both sides, deeper cooperation in student & faculty exchanges, and industry-education integration between China and Spain will be further strengthened, cultivating outstanding engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs for the future and contributing to addressing global challenges and creating a brighter future for human society.

José Manuel Albares Bueno inscribes a dedication for the cooperation between the two universities, conveying his sincere expectations for China-Spain educational collaboration

Unveiling ceremony of the China-Spain Institute for Excellent Engineers

José Manuel Albares Bueno, Zhao Changlu, José Esteban Capilla, Zhao Weisheng, and other guests jointly unveiled the China-Spain Institute for Excellent Engineers. This new space will host more diverse and extensive cooperative projects between the two universities, injecting new momentum into the exchange and cooperation in higher education between China and Spain.

Earlier that morning, Zhao Changlu met with José Esteban Capilla. The two sides held in-depth discussions on further deepening China-Spain higher education cooperation. They noted that the friendship between the two universities has grown stronger over time and this cooperation is a milestone in the internationalization of higher education in both countries. They expressed anticipation for further strengthening communication and deepening collaboration to jointly promote the sustained and profound development of China-Spain educational cooperation.

Editor: Liu Tingting