The China Studies Core of Imam Sadiq (AS) University, in collaboration with the Iranian Institute for Belt and Road Studies, held the first session of the specialized lecture series “China Horizon,” featuring Professor Wei Changyu, Associate Professor at Guangzhou University and Chinese Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Mazandaran.
During this session, Professor Wei Changyu first introduced his academic and professional background. He then presented Guangzhou University, providing information on its ranking, the number of faculty members, students, its position both in China and globally, and its educational structure. Subsequently, he discussed the teaching of the Persian language in China, noting that 14 universities across various cities offer Persian language courses, with Beijing International Studies University and Shanghai International Studies University being the most important centers in this field. He also mentioned the activities of the Middle East Studies Institute at Shanghai International Studies University. He then elaborated on the status of Chinese language education in Iran, addressing the activities of four Iranian universities and two Confucius Institutes located at the Universities of Tehran and Mazandaran. Professor Wei emphasized that, in addition to language instruction, Confucius Institutes also offer cultural programs, short-term courses, and scholarship opportunities.
The main part of the presentation was dedicated to introducing various types of academic scholarships. This section covered Chinese government scholarships, local government scholarships, university scholarships, Confucius Institute scholarships, private company support, and other scholarship programs. He explained how to use the China Scholarship Council website to learn about these opportunities. He also stated that admission requirements for Chinese universities have become stricter compared to the past, and applicants must not only have academic readiness but also check the specific conditions of each university. Furthermore, he detailed the Confucius Institute scholarships and the eligibility criteria, including HSK test requirements, and stressed the importance of using official sources for accurate information.
Professor Wei also pointed out the recent reduction in the capacity of some Confucius Institute scholarships and recommended that applicants contact their target universities prior to submitting applications to confirm their chances of admission. In the final section, he addressed the increasingly stringent conditions for doctoral studies, the necessity of publishing articles in reputable journals, and participating in scientific conferences for some universities. Postdoctoral opportunities and joint scientific research projects were also introduced, explaining that these programs are primarily designed for faculty members and researchers. Finally, during the Q&A session, questions from the audience regarding choosing a destination university, receiving scholarships, and factors affecting admission were answered, with emphasis on directly verifying university conditions and contacting international student offices.
In conclusion, it was decided that a future meeting would be held between the China Studies Core, the Iranian Institute for Belt and Road Studies, and Professor Wei to explore potential areas and opportunities for collaboration among the parties.
