Han Ximin

    ximhan@ 126.com

    AN exchange and cooperation platform among universities of friendship cities of Shenzhen was officially inaugurated yesterday.

    The inauguration of the Shenzhen International Friendship City University League (SIFCUL), which has 27 member universities, including 17 foreign universities, is a notable sideline event of the on-going China Hi-Tech Fair.

    It was initiated by the South University of Science and Technology of China (SUSTC), along with nine other local universities, including Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Polytechnic and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen).

    “SIFCUL is a platform for substantial cooperation among universities of Shenzhen’s friendship cities in the fields of education, science, technology and culture,” Li Ming, chairman with SIECUL’s 2014 Organizing Committee and Party chief and acting president of SUSTC, said at a ceremony yesterday.

    The league will organize annual meetings and forums and develop cooperation projects, joint education programs and information-sharing mechanisms, according to Li.

    Plovdiv University from Bulgaria is the first university to join SIFCUL.

    (Continued on P2)

    (Special reports on P2, 3, 4)

    Its rector, Zapryan Kozludzhov, said international cooperation and exchanges could help development of higher learning education.

    “The difference is the power for development and that member universities can draw strong points by learning from each other. The league could bring into full play the unique characters and strengths of member universities, promote resource sharing and win-win partnerships for league members,” said Zapryan Kozludzhov.

    According to the declaration announced at the ceremony, a variety of activities could be held to enrich the communication and cooperation among member universities to promote the process of modernization, internationalization and globalization for the higher education institutions.

    Shenzhen now has 63 sister cities, with two newcomers whose representatives signed agreements yesterday, according to Shenzhen Mayor Xu Qin, who attended the ceremony.

    Xu said the establishment of SIFCUL has improved the cooperation level of Shenzhen’s friendship cities and will improve the level of Shenzhen’s higher learning institutions in regards to international cooperation. The city will enhance cooperation with friendship cities and create a better environment for more friendship city universities to join the league.