Memorandum signed in Shanghai envisages research on international relations and South-South cooperation, meetings in both countries and academic exchanges
The Global South Institute and Hebei Normal University signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday (11) in Shanghai to strengthen academic cooperation and intellectual exchange between Brazil and China. The agreement established an agenda focused on international relations, South-South cooperation, global governance and the development challenges facing countries of the Global South.
The partnership was formalised by journalist Leonardo Attuch, founding president of the Global South Institute and founder of Brasil 247, and Li Guijun, president of the Chinese university, during the 24th International Conference on the Exchange of Professionals. The document paved the way for joint research and publications, meetings in Brazil and China, and exchanges of professors, researchers and students.
Attuch said the signing represented a great honour for the newly established Global South Institute. He also expressed the expectation of organising joint meetings in both countries, bringing Brazilian and Chinese academic communities closer together and expanding the circulation of knowledge about the challenges shared by the Global South.
The understanding recognised the importance of strengthening academic ties between Brazil and China and reaffirmed the commitment of both institutions to research, education and international dialogue.
International relations and South-South cooperation
The memorandum established a framework for cooperation in academic research, policy studies, international relations and the dissemination of knowledge related to the Global South.
The topics envisaged include China’s development experience, South-South cooperation and global governance. The proposal aims to encourage studies and debates that will help understand international transformations and share development experiences among countries.
The agreement also covers the exchange of academic studies, scientific articles and reports, as well as joint research and publications on issues of mutual interest.
For the Global South Institute, the rapprochement with the Chinese university represented a step towards building an international network for the production and dissemination of knowledge. The partnership created opportunities to connect researchers, promote debates and bring academic reflection closer to the Brazilian public.
Joint meetings in Brazil and China
One of the expectations expressed by Attuch was to turn the agreement into a programme of meetings in Brazil and China. Seminars, conferences, lectures, webinars and academic forums are among the activities envisaged in the document.
These meetings could bring together researchers and representatives of institutions from both countries to discuss international issues, share research findings and develop joint projects.
The combination of in-person and digital activities will also make it possible to broaden the participation of students and academics, creating channels of dialogue that can operate on a continuous basis.
The intention expressed by the Institute was to build a lasting relationship with Hebei Normal University, with initiatives that will continue the rapprochement established in Shanghai. Specific projects will be jointly defined according to the priorities and possibilities of both institutions.
Exchange and dissemination of knowledge
The memorandum also provides for the exchange of professors, researchers, students and visiting scholars. The proposal opens up opportunities for the institutions to explore academic training, scientific collaboration and interaction between their academic communities.
Another area covered is the dissemination of research. Studies, reports and academic materials shared under the partnership may be disseminated by the Global South Institute and Brasil 247, expanding their reach among Portuguese-speaking audiences.
This dimension will make it possible to bring some of the knowledge produced and shared by the institutions into Brazilian public debate. Research on international relations, development and South-South cooperation will be able to reach readers beyond university environments.
The dissemination of this work may also introduce researchers and their areas of investigation, stimulate interest in international studies and give visibility to activities carried out through the partnership.
Mathematics as one of the university’s strengths
In addition to the agenda on international relations and South-South cooperation, the signing opened up an opportunity to explore dialogue in areas of excellence at Hebei Normal University. These include mathematics, one of the Chinese institution’s academic strengths.
Attuch expressed the expectation that this rapprochement would also help encourage the study of advanced mathematics in Brazil. The objective is to promote interaction between Brazilian researchers and students and international experiences, while exploring opportunities for scientific collaboration.
The university led the Mathematics and Data Science Forum, held as part of the conference in Shanghai. The event provided an opportunity to learn about its research experience and network of international partnerships.
Although the memorandum focuses on academic cooperation related to the Global South, future initiatives in mathematics and interdisciplinary sciences may be discussed by the institutions and developed through work plans or supplementary agreements.
Li Guijun presents results of scientific cooperation
In his address at the conference, university president Li Guijun highlighted the work of the Hebei International Joint Research Centre for Mathematics and Interdisciplinary Sciences and presented the results of the university’s research internationalisation efforts.
According to him, over the past five years, 12 national and provincial projects involving foreign experts in mathematics have been developed. During the same period, more than 70 internationally co-authored research papers were published.
The university president also mentioned long-term partnerships with universities and institutions in Italy, Romania, Hungary, Russia and Spain, among other countries, as well as a training programme supported by the China Scholarship Council.
Presenting the academic structure, Li Guijun said the mathematics department had seven full professors and 12 visiting professors. He expressed interest in welcoming more international researchers for collaborative activities.
Another highlight was the first Hebei International Conference on Dynamical Systems, held in October. According to the university president, the event brought together more than 100 researchers from different countries.
Li Guijun advocated expanding channels of exchange and outlined the goal of establishing a leading centre for mathematical research. At the end of his address, he invited Chinese and international researchers to collaborate with the university.
A milestone for new initiatives
Drafted in Chinese, Portuguese and English, the memorandum came into effect upon its signing by both parties. The document expressed the intention to cooperate in good faith, without establishing any legally binding financial or contractual obligations. Specific projects and activities may be implemented through separate agreements or joint work plans.
For Attuch, the significance of the signing lay both in the honour of establishing the partnership and in the opportunities for work that it opened up. Organising meetings in Brazil and China, producing research on international relations and South-South cooperation, and drawing on the university’s academic strengths form part of the outlook for this rapprochement.
With the agreement signed in Shanghai, the Global South Institute and Hebei Normal University established a foundation for expanding intellectual exchange between the two countries and developing a shared agenda for research, training and dialogue.
Courtesy: Brasil 247