Visit of the Tsinghua University Delegation

On June 12th, 2023, a delegation from the School of Journalism and Communication of Tsinghua University, China, visited the School of Language, Literature, and Culture of the University of Giessen for talks on research collaborations. Prof. Dr. Magnus Huber, Head of the English Department, Prof. Dr. Xun Luo, Chair of Intercultural Communication and Business as well as Prof. Yu Hu, Administrative Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication, Tsinghua University, Prof. Qing’an Zhou, Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication, Tsinghua University, and Prof. Jingwei Wu attended the cooperation ceremony. The Dean of the Academy of Fine Arts & Design of Tsinghua University, Prof. Sai Ma, and Anying Chen, Head of the Department of Art History and Theory, attended the ceremony online.

Professor Magnus Huber first welcomed the delegation from the School of Journalism and Communication of Tsinghua University. In his speech, he recognized that the University of Giessen is a prestigious research institution in Germany and Tsinghua University is a top Chinese institution. According to Prof. Huber, this meeting represents the first time the University of Giessen has started an in-depth cooperation with a Chinese university in the humanities and social sciences field. He looked forward to making the project a good example of academic interaction between Germany and China, promoting trust through learning and exchange, improving the mutual support of relative disciplinary advantages, and enhancing the mutual understanding between the two universities.

Prof. Qing’an Zhou, expressed his gratitude to the University of Giessen for the excellent visit arrangements. He said that Tsinghua University has a long tradition and a rich history in humanities and social sciences. The School of Journalism and Communication has developed unique disciplinary advantages and talents over the past 20 years. He believes that working together with Giessen University, this cooperation will help deepen the exploration and understanding of major academic topics such as China’s communication with Europe, intercultural communication, and cultural studies. In the future, the School of Journalism and Communication will actively promote academic visits, joint research, and conferences between the two sides based on the MoU between the two parties.

Prof. Sai Ma gave a systematic introduction to nurturing people through integrating art and science at the Academy of Fine Arts & Design. He said that the Academy has been actively building a talent training system with world standards and Chinese characteristics in recent years. In the future, they hope to actively participate in the joint collaboration with the University of Giessen and join hands to promote the integration of disciplines in broader and deeper areas. Through these efforts, the Academy of Fine Arts & Design can better become the shaper of the national image of China, the creator of a better life, the inheritor of excellent culture, the leader of art and science integration, and the cultivator of innovative talents.

Subsequently, formal talks on the cooperation between the University of Giessen Tsinghua University’s School of Journalism and Communication and the Academy of Fine Arts & Design were held. After the talks, preliminary intentions were reached, with representatives from both sides exchanging gifts. Prof. Yu Hu concluded that when facing the current rapid changes in the world and in talent cultivation requirements, it is particularly important to encourage scholars from both countries to better comprehend the world and strengthen academic communication and mutual learning. The School of Journalism and Communication of Tsinghua University will continue to adopt an open-minded, cutting-edge vision and innovative approach to explore a new future of academic development with all partners.

On the afternoon of June 13th, Prof. Qing’an Zhou and Prof. Jingwei Wu had already presented their research on “How to Report Conflicts and Crises: The Construction of Peace Discourse and Crisis Language in Chinese Media” and “The Pursuit of Technology: How Artificial intelligence is changing journalism” in a special joint research colloquium with teachers and students of the University of Giessen.