“Digital China and Online Education Cooperation” dialogue with Latin American and Caribbean ambassadors

On April 29, 2022, Digital China and Online Education Cooperation—Cloud Dialogue between Tsinghua University and Latin American and Caribbean Ambassadors was held successfully. More than 30 Latin American and Caribbean ambassadors and representatives attended the online event. Wang Xiqin, President of Tsinghua University, and Fernando Lugris, Uruguayan Ambassador to China and Dean of the Latin American and Caribbean Group delivered opening speeches. Yang Bin, Vice President and Provost of Tsinghua University, made the closing remark. Li Jinliang, Dean of International Affairs, Tsinghua University, served as the moderator of the event.

In his speech, Wang Xiqin recalled last October’s meeting in Tsinghua University with representatives from the Latin American and Caribbean countries and regions to China, when the topic of jointly building the Belt and Road and sharing the new economy and prosperity was actively discussed. Wang pointed out that realizing digital transformation and seek more opportunities in the 21st century has become a global concern with the rapid development of digital technology. China and Latin American and Caribbean countries also attach great importance to the issue. He said that Tsinghua University highly values research on the digital economy and talent cultivation, and has made active efforts to promote global cooperation in online education. Tsinghua University and Latin American universities have carried out extensive and in-depth cooperation in this field, which has achieved great results. Tsinghua University expects to cooperate more with Latin American and Caribbean partners in scientific research, student education, cultural and personnel exchanges, and to share ideas and experiences on important global issues such as artificial intelligence, climate change, public health, and global governance, Wang said, extending his hope to pursue mutual achievements with the Latin American and Caribbean partners in building a community with a shared future for mankind.

In his speech, Fernando Lugris thanked Tsinghua University for organizing the cloud dialogue, which enhanced the relationship between the university and LAC. He pointed out that Uruguay’s digital development and online education have been improving with the attention and efforts of its central government, achieving good results. It has relieved the negative impact of the epidemic and ensured education’s continuity, he said. He believes that the development of digital technology can bring great benefits and help China and LACto overcome the challenges during the epidemic and in the post-epidemic era. “Tsinghua University is promoting online education. I hope there will be more cooperation between the university and Latin American and Caribbean countries and regions in the future,” Fernando said.

Chen Yubo, Senior Associate Dean of School of Economics and Management, Tsinghua University, Wang Xiaoxiao, Secretary-General of Global MOOC and Online Education Alliance, Wang Shuaiguo, CEO of XuetangX, and Chen Taotao, Director of the Latin America Center, Tsinghua University, delivered keynote speeches respectively on the development of China’s digital economy, the practice and prospect of online education at Tsinghua University, facilitating global sharing of advanced education technologies and quality resources, and the construction of joint courses between Chinese and LAC professors.

During the discussion, Luis Quesada, Ambassador of Peru to China, Hallam Henry, Ambassador of Barbados to China, Aldo Álvarez, Ambassador of Salvador to China, and Jesus Seade Kuri, Ambassador of Mexico to China, delivered speeches. According to the ambassadors, developing the digital economy and promoting digital transformation is very important for Latin American and Caribbean countries and regions. They introduced the efforts made by Latin American and Caribbean countries and regions in promoting digital transformation. They also pointed out challenges and put forward suggestions on how to cope with them. The ambassadors believe that digital development has driven the revolution of online education, providing more people with educational opportunities and promoting positive changes in educational concepts and models. The ambassadors praised the event was very meaningful. Saying that Tsinghua University is leading the world in online education, they look forward to more in-depth cooperation with the university in the future.

Yang Bin, Vice President and Provost of Tsinghua University, delivered the closing speech. He pointed out that there is a good foundation for the cooperation between Tsinghua University and Latin American and Caribbean countries in areas such as joint response to the epidemic, and handling global climate change and public health, which will be further extended to online education. Thanks to the efforts of the Global MOOC and Online Education Alliance and Tsinghua Latin America Center, the university has conducted dialogue and cooperation with countries such as Chile and Argentina. Yang said he hopes Tsinghua University could cooperate with more universities in Latin American and Caribbean countries and regions in the future, provide more high-quality educational resources for learners, and jointly build a bright future for education in China and Latin American and Caribbean countries and regions.

Fernando Lugris, Uruguayan Ambassador to China, Hallam Henry, Ambassador of Barbados to China, Carlos Humberto Larrea Davila, Ambassador of Ecuador to China, Abbie S. David, Ambassador of Grenada to China, Anyin Choo, Ambassador of Guyana to China, Jesus Seade Kuri, Ambassador of Mexico to China, Leonardo Kam, Ambassador of Panama to China, Luis Quesada, Ambassador of Peru to China, Aldo Alvarez, Ambassador of El Salvador to China, Analisa Low, Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to China, Misty Bain, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Bahamas, Jerrel Moriah, Charge d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Suriname, Jimena Jaén, Charge d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Costa Rica, Melisa Pryce, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Jamaica, Yamila Fersobe, Minister-Counselor of the Dominican Embassy in China, Alberto Bastardo and Maria Teresa Dos Ramos, Minister-Counselors of the Venezuelan Embassy in China, Fabiano Bastos Moraes, Consul of the Brazilian Embassy in China, and representatives from other countries and regions such as Chile, Colombia, Cuba and Haiti also attended the event.

Under the support and guidance of the Office of International Affairs, the cloud dialogue was co-hosted by the Tsinghua Latin America Center, the Global MOOC and Online Education Alliance and the Institute for Industry Innovation and Finance, and was organized online by XuetangX. In addition, the event was live broadcast through the online platform of XuetangX, attracting about 70,000 people who are interested in the development of China’s digital economy and online education cooperation between China and Latin America.

This article originally appeared on https://www.tsinghua.edu.cn/en/info/1245/11193.htm