In a landmark development for China-Spain educational collaboration, Beihang University and Polytechnic University of Valencia (or Universitat Politècnica de València, UPV, in Spanish) have jointly established the Beihang Valencia Polytechnic Institute (or Instituto Politécnico Beihang Valencia, in Spanish). The Institute, recently approved by China's Ministry of Education, marks a significant milestone in academic partnership between the two nations.

This initiative aligns with the 20th anniversary of the China-Spain Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and reflects the shared commitment to deepen cooperation outlined in the Action Plan on Strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2025–2028). The document explicitly encourages expanded university collaboration, joint degree programs, and academic exchanges.

The establishment of the Institute was highlighted during the 2025 visit to China by Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno, who toured the Hangzhou International Campus of Beihang University. During his visit, Zhao Changlu, Secretary of the CPC Beihang University Committee, and José E. Capilla Romá, Rector of UPV, welcomed Minister Albares, who praised the Institute as "a key milestone in the growing bilateral relationship, embodying both nations' dedication to collaboration, mutual understanding, and a shared vision for excellence in higher education."

The Beihang Valencia Polytechnic Institute is the first China-Spain cooperative education institution in China to offer a complete academic system encompassing bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Located at Beihang's Hangzhou International Campus in Zhejiang Province, the Institute will focus on cutting-edge fields including artificial intelligence, embodied intelligence, intelligent manufacturing, and intelligent communications. It aims to cultivate interdisciplinary talent through an innovative, internationally integrated educational model.

The Institute will feature a convergent training model for Chinese and international STEM students, with all programs conducted in English. With a planned enrollment of 1,500 students, including 500 international learners, the Institute will leverage the complementary strengths of Beihang and UPV to deliver a globally oriented education. Graduates will receive dual degrees from both universities.

UPV, recognized as one of Spain's top technological universities, holds the top position among Spanish engineering institutions in the 2025 ShanghaiRanking's Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) and leads in engineering studies according to El Mundo's Spanish university rankings. All its engineering programs are accredited by EUR-ACE® and Spain's National Association of Engineers. UPV also ranks third in Europe for hosting Erasmus+ exchange students.

The establishment of the Institute reflects Beihang's proactive efforts to seize the important opportunity presented by the 20th anniversary of China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership. It further deepens integrated innovation with Spanish universities in education, technology, and talent development, actively contributing to China's high-level educational opening-up. By fully integrating high-quality educational resources from both countries and innovating in elite talent cultivation models, the Institute will develop interdisciplinary leaders in STEM fields with international vision and innovative capabilities, contributing to the advancement of China-Spain scientific, educational, and cultural exchanges.

Editor: Lyu Xingyun