Wang Cheng delivers a keynote speech.

 

On Oct. 17, the Symposium on Cultural Transmission and Innovation was held in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, attracting representatives from 47 universities in eight countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (the Belt and Road; B&R), including China, South Korea, Russia, Ukraine, Malaysia, Turkey, Sudan and Kyrgyzstan. At the symposium, the “Dunhuang Consensus” came into being, paving the way for the formation of a strategic alliance, think tank consortium and higher education community among the 47 universities.

Based on the principles of interconnection, inclusiveness, innovation and cooperation, the “‘B&R’ University Alliance” is a crucial component of the grand initiative. It aims to facilitate inter-university exchanges and partnerships in education, science, technology and culture, with an eye on the economic and social development goals of the eight countries.

The proposed think tank consortium is envisioned as a platform for sharing educational information and academic resources, said Wang Cheng, president of Lanzhou University. It is also intended to facilitate transnational collaborations on scientific research and innovation as well as student exchange programs that instil an international perspective into the young generation, he said. In a broader sense, the consortium may help foster cultural exchanges as well as mutual trust and understanding among the eight countries. Moreover, it can incubate joint establishment and management of higher education institutions that serve the interests of local communities, Wang said.

 

Zhu Yi is a reporter at the Chinese Social Sciences Today.