Beijing, 16 May 2025 - Professor Ricardo Trindade, President of China Centre at the University of São Paulo (USP), and BI Leilei, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation and Exchanges at China Agricultural University visited the Open University of China (OUC).
LIU Xuanxuan, Vice President of OUC, welcomed the visiting delegations. The three parties engaged in an in-depth discussion on the establishment of an overseas learning centre (Open Learning Centre) in São Paulo, Brazil. Heads and staff members from OUC’s Academic Affairs Department, Learning Resources Department, College of International Education, Department of Student Affairs and Teacher Development, Department of Digitalisation, as well as relevant personnel from OUC Online Education & Information Technology Co., Ltd., participated in the meeting, which was chaired by LIU Haiying, head of the College of International Education.
Vice President LIU extended a warm welcome to Professor Ricardo Trindade and his delegation. She emphasised that OUC is actively advancing the establishment of the Open Learning Centre in Brazil to implement President Xi Jinping’s important speech at the 16th BRICS Summit and in line with the deployments of the Chinese Ministry of Education. Since the cooperation discussions began, the USP China Centre has responded positively. OUC has also held productive consultations with China Agricultural University and Huawei’s Brazil Representative Office. Preliminary consensus has been reached on key cooperation areas, including joint development and sharing of course resources and exploring ways of skill enhancement for primary-level agricultural talent.
Professor Trindade expressed his delight to participate in the previous online discussions with OUC regarding the establishment of the Open Learning Centre in Brazil. He hoped that this visit would further explore the specific directions of cooperation for the Open Learning Centre and effectively advance the implementation of the cooperation project.
During the meeting, the three parties explored the potential for non-degree and degree education cooperation through joint course development and sharing. The discussion laid a solid foundation for the implementation of the strategic tasks of the Open Learning Centre and the signing of a memorandum of understanding.
University of São Paulo (USP), established in 1934, is the first and largest modern comprehensive university in Brazil, enjoying a high academic reputation in Latin America. On 21 March 2025, USP launched the China Centre, focusing on five major areas: agricultural science, earth science, medical and health, literature and art, and space science. The centre aims to conduct joint research, academic exchanges, and long-term project cooperation between China and Brazil, with the goal of expanding cooperation and exchanges and upgrading bilateral relations between the two countries.
Written by ZHOU Xiang, Lyu Guangru
Photos by JIAO Qiupeng