The Maltese government has signed several agreements with the Chinese government to strengthen cooperation in education and sports.
During an official visit led by Education Minister Clifton Grima in Beijing and Shanghai in China, two agreements signed were for strengthening cooperation in education and sports along with eight other agreements signed with various educational institutions, a government statement read.
The two governments also agreed to initiate discussions for more cooperation agreements in these sectors.
Grima also addressed academics and students on the Comprehensive Youth Development in the Education System.
The delegation led by Grima was comprised of Chairman of Education Malta Charles Zammit and Deputy Principal of the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) Stephen Vella.
In the meetings held in Beijing at the Beijing Foreign Studies University, the Maltese delegation was accompanied by the Maltese Ambassador to China John Busuttil, while in Shanghai, they were also joined by Honorary Consul Lisa-Marie Azzopardi.
In the capital Beijing, a meeting was held with the Vice Minister of Education of the People's Republic of China Chen Jie, during which discussions and exchanges took place regarding the education systems in both respective countries, as well as how both countries can strengthen ties in the educational sector.
Two agreements were signed to strengthen cooperation between Malta and China in various educational aspects, including student exchanges, scholarships, research collaboration, and the exchange of expertise in education-related technologies, as well as collaboration in Higher Education, certificates, and diplomas.
Grima had discussions with the President of the University Jia Wenjian, after visiting some of the facilities offered by the University.
Grima also met with some of the audience members of the University, greeting them in the Maltese language before addressing academics and students and answering questions about education in Malta posed by those present.
At the Beijing Sports University, the delegation met with the President of the University Zhang Jian, who also agreed to initiate discussions to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the sports sector.
Grima also visited some of the sports facilities offered by the University and was provided explanations about the work being done at the Institute of Sport and Health Science within the campus of this University. Here, an agreement was made for both sides to explore collaboration opportunities to benefit both Maltese and Chinese athletes.
In Shanghai, a visit was made to the University of Political Science and Law, where the Maltese delegation was received by the Chancellor of the University Ge Weihua, and the President Liu Xiaohong. A meeting was held to discuss possibilities for further cooperation between the two sides.
At this University, an MoU was signed by Charles Zammit and Liu Xiaohong, represented by Grima and Chancellor Ge Weihua.
During this visit, Stephen Ellul on behalf of MCAST signed seven other agreements: with the Jiangsu Vocational College of Medicine; with the Guangdong Business and Technology University; with the South China Normal University; with the Guangxi University of Science and Technology; with the Beijing Institute of Technology; with the Jinzhou Medical University; and with the Beijing Polytechnic, which will lead to cooperation between MCAST and the mentioned institutions.