The University of Primorska hosted a Chinese delegation held on 4 June 2026, at InnoRenew CoE, UP IAM in a two-part event – the morning session covered a meeting and presentation of UP to the guests, while the afternoon was dedicated to a wider debate that included representatives from the university as well as industry, with representation of the Port of Koper as an important partner.

The morning meeting brought together a delegation of the China Education Association for International Exchange, UP leadership and representatives of its faculties and institute. They discussed the possible strengthening of cooperation on topics such as intercultural linguistic mediation, inclusive education, special education, teacher professional development, clinical medicine, nursing, intelligent manufacturing, AI and computer science.

The afternoon session was dedicated to the Slovenia–China Rectors’ Dialogue titled “Green Transition and Industry– Education Integration: Deepening the Slovenia–China Higher Education Partnership” and moderated by Assoc. Prof. Matjaž Nahtigal, Vice-Dean for International Cooperation and Academic Affairs at UP Faculty of Management. The welcome speeches delivered by Prof. Klavdija Kutnar, Rector of the University of Primorska, and Yang Jun, Secretary-General of CEAIE, were followed by two thematic seminars.

The first one, Future-Oriented Joint Discipline Development and Research Collaboration – Focusing on Green Technology and Sustainable Development, which was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Matjaž Nahtigal (UP FM), featured Črtomir Tavzes (UP IAM InnoRenew CoE) and Prof. XU Hongbing (Vice President, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China). In their presentations, they addressed a wide range of topics: from the importance of carbon sequestration technologies and the introduction of micro-credentials and joint R&I projects, to the promotion of the shared use of research data, student exchanges and the importance of international cooperation.

The second thematic seminar, moderated by Yang Zhen, Director of International Cooperation and Exchange Office at Southwest Medical University, focused on Applied Education and Industry–Education Integration – Empowering Youth Employment and Industrial Upgrading. It featured speakers Prof. Simona Kustec (UP FM), Assoc. Prof. Gao Fei (Vice President, Nanjing Normal University of Special Education), Robert Vodopivec (Management Board Counsellor, Port of Koper) and Prof. Pu Huangzhong (Deputy Party Secretary of Nanjing University, Industry Technology). The speakers discussed the integration of the business sector and education as well as cooperation on the mutual recognition of standards.

Both seminars sparked interesting debates among participants, which strengthened their collaboration through networking. The event was wrapped up with some closing remarks by Zhao Binghui, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Slovenia, and Assist. Lei Han, UP IAM InnoRenew CoE).

The Delegation of China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) included: Mr. Yang Jun (Secretary General, CEAIE), Ms. Zhang Junqing (Deputy Director, Department of Higher Education Cooperation, CEAIE), Ms. Zhou Jieru (Program Officer, Department of Higher Education Cooperation, CEAIE), Prof. Jing Tao (Vice President, Beijing Jiaotong University), Assoc. Prof. Ding Pengyu (Director, Office of Laboratory Management, Beijing Jiaotong University), Prof. Bian Zhengfu (Vice President, China University of Mining and Technology), Mr. Zhang Yuchuan (Deputy Director, International Office, China University of Mining and Technology),  Assoc. Prof. Gao Fei (Vice President, Nanjing Normal University of Special Education), Jiang Leilei (Teaching and Research Assistant, College of International Exchange, Nanjing Normal University of Special Education), Prof. Pu Huangzhong (Deputy Party Secretary, Nanjing University of Industry Technology), Prof. Xu Hongbing (Vice President, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China), Prof. Hu Su (Vice Dean, Office of Scientific Research & Development, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China), Mr. Zhu Guo (Section Chief, Office of International Cooperation and Exchanges, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China), Prof. Fang Donghui (President, Jishou University), Assoc. Prof. Tang Xiaotian (Vice Dean, School of Foreign Languages, Jishou University), Prof. Chen Zhonglin (Vice President, Professional Technology College), Prof. He Tao (President, Southwest Medical University), Research Assistant Yang Zhen (Director, International Cooperation and Exchange Office, Southwest Medical University), Prof. Tian Liang (Secretary of the Party Committee, Sichuan Vocational College of Judicial Police) and Assoc. Prof. Wang Peng (Chief, Public Legal Service Section, Sichuan Vocational College of Judicial Police).