Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Belarus Zhang Wenchuan visited Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno
On March 17, as part of a working visit to Grodno, a delegation from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Belarus, headed by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Zhang Wenchuan, visited the Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno to discuss promising areas of cooperation.
The delegation of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Belarus, which also included Attache Sun Lizho, Li Yufei, and staff member Xu Jiang, met with the Rector's Office, the heads of the Internationalization Education Centre and the Office of Ideological and Educational Work of Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno.
At the beginning of the meeting, Rector Iryna Kiturka introduced the guests to the educational potential and competitive advantages of Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno, emphasizing its high positions in international rankings and the availability of international accreditation. She also spoke about the experience and prospects of cooperation of the Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno with educational institutions of the People's Republic of China, the conditions of study of foreign citizens at YKSUG. In her speech, Iryna Kiturka noted that today educational and scientific institutions of the People's Republic of China are strategic partners of YKSUG:
– Within the framework of the partnership, the emphasis is on joint fundamental research, especially in the field of high technologies, exchange of students and teachers, cooperation with major international organizations, in particular the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The plans include the creation of joint laboratories and innovation centers, contributing to the deepening of a comprehensive strategic partnership.
In turn, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Zhang Wenchuan expressed gratitude to Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno for providing an opportunity for Chinese youth to receive high-quality higher education in a safe and peaceful Republic of Belarus, and called Belarusian-Chinese cooperation in the field of education "cooperation of hope":
– The interaction between our countries has reached the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership, which contributes to the strengthening of educational ties. Educational institutions in China and Belarus have established very good partnerships. Over 600 Chinese citizens receive education in the Grodno region, and most of them study at your university.
According to Iryna Kiturka, the history of cooperation between Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno and Chinese partners began in 2001. Today, the university cooperates with foreign educational institutions and organizations within the framework of 253 agreements, including 46 universities and organizations of the People's Republic of China. In 2025-2026, 10 agreements were signed. The Rector noted that Chinese citizens study at YKSUG in English, and all diplomas are confirmed by the Centre for the Recognition of Diplomas of the People's Republic of China.
Among the results of successful cooperation, Irina Fedorovna mentioned the recruitment of 108 people for a joint educational program for bachelor's degree in “Biology 4+0” between Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno and Qilu Pedagogical University (China), the implementation of a joint educational program with Qingdao College of Preschool Education in the specialty "Preschool Education", the successful work of the Confucius Cabinet, established in 2012 at the Confucius Republican Institute of
Chinese Studies of the Belarusian State University, as well as the implementation of the Ban Mo (Ruben.Mozi) College". The Rector stressed that graduates with knowledge of Chinese in the fields of Linguistic Support for Intercultural Communication, International Law, and World Economy are in high demand, especially in the fields of logistics and foreign economic activity.
The rector of the university also announced that work is currently underway to establish the Confucius Institute at Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno in cooperation with Xinjiang Pedagogical University, the Center for Russian Language and Belarusian Culture at the Qingdao Higher Pedagogical Special School of Preschool Education and the Chinese-Belarusian Institute of Intellectual Sciences and Engineering at Yanka Kupala State University and Qilu Pedagogical University.
– We cooperate not only in the framework of professional training, our strength lies in the intercultural dialogue. We strive for Chinese citizens to take away a piece of Belarus in their hearts after graduating from our university, and leave us a piece of their culture," Iryna Kiturka noted.
According to Zhang Wenchuan, the issue of opening a Confucius Institute at Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno may be resolved in the near future. Mr. Ambassador also expressed hope for Chinese students to actively study Russian and Belarusian languages.
After the meeting with the leadership, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Zhang Wenchuan met with Chinese students studying at Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno.
For reference: 530 citizens of the People's Republic of China are studying at the Yanka Kupala State University of Grodno in the 2025/2026 academic year. In the 2024/2025 academic year, their number was 363 people.
