June 3 - Tuscany and China strengthen their cooperation agreements for research, university, and teacher and student exchange in Chongqing. “Tune”, the network that brings together the University of Florence, Pisa, Siena, Siena for Foreigners, and the Scuola Normale Superiore Sant’Anna School, signed an agreement with six universities of the Chongqing Municipality, part of the “UAC”, the University Alliance in Chongqing. The new protocol confirms the intention to pursue international collaborations, between Tuscany and the Chongqing Municipality. In 2004 the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna of Pisa signed an agreement of scientific cooperation with the Chongqing University, subsequently renewed; and in 2010 a “memorandum of understanding” between the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna and the Municipality made particular reference to culture and education issues; a similar agreement was signed between the City of Florence and the “Chongqing Municipal Commission of culture, radio, broadcasting & TV”. “The agreement - says Nicola Bellini, Director of the Confucius Institute at the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna and the Galileo Galilei Institute in Chongqing - is the result of a long process and a consolidated experience of cooperation in research and training. The Galileo Galilei Institute in Chongqing allows for the diffusion of Italian language and culture; its “twin”, the Confucius Institute in Pisa, does the same in Italy. Together they have ensured the continuity and quality of relationships necessary for the level of academic integration reached with this agreement – a level that has no precedent in academic relations between Italy and China”.

THE AGREEMENT

The agreement provides, in particular, to increase student and professor exchanges, as well researchers and graduate students. It also seeks to implement joint research programs, meetings, conferences and short courses. Additional protocols will govern the implementation of scientific and educational exchanges, but overall trend is to eliminate as many barriers to mobility as possible. The agreement-signing ceremony, hosted by Chongqing University, was held during the first meeting of the Confucius Institute’s Advisory Board, committed to spreading the Chinese language and culture as well as organizing language courses.