China, Italy strengthen higher education exchanges

China and Italy have agreed to deepen cooperation in higher education to foster talent and drive innovation, marking a new chapter in educational exchanges between the two countries.

The commitment was made at the 2025 China-Italy university presidents forum held in Beijing on Thursday, which brought together more than 60 universities and institutions from both sides. Sixteen memorandums and agreements were signed during the event.

Chinese Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng and Italian Minister of University and Research Anna Maria Bernini signed a joint statement during the forum.

Reflecting on the progress made since the first forum in 2024, Huai said the partnership has evolved from individual personnel exchanges to a new framework supported by projects and platforms, focusing on talent cultivation, technological innovation and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations.

Huai called on universities to better understand and grasp the characteristics of the latest round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, urging them to adapt to changes in knowledge renewal, interdisciplinary integration, scientific research innovation and industry-university-research collaboration.

He proposed three areas for deeper collaboration: promoting cooperation in basic and interdisciplinary disciplines, exploring effective mechanisms where technological innovation and talent cultivation reinforce each other, and pursuing technological advancement for the good of humanity and civilization.

Bernini said the forum opens a new chapter in Italy-China educational cooperation. Scientific development cannot be achieved without higher education and talent cultivation, and technological progress requires the support of culture and art, she added.

Bernini stressed Italy's commitment to integrating science with humanities and arts, promoting in-depth cooperation among university researchers, art designers and industries.

She expressed Italy's expectation to cooperate with China in building an innovation network and further deepen exchanges in culture, music and art education.