Ghent University

Ghent University is a top 100 university and one of the major research-based Belgian universities in the Dutch-speaking region of Europe counting over 47,000 students and 15,000 employees. It distinguishes itself as a socially committed and pluralistic university in a broad international perspective. 86 Faculty departments - spread over 11 faculties - offer high-quality courses in every scientific discipline.

A close cooperation has been developed with various Chinese partner institutions over the last forty years. This cooperation, both on the level of education and scientific research, will be further developed and extended in the coming years and Ghent University will not ignore the increasing importance of industry and the triple helix concept in general in these future developments.

The fact that China’s importance on the world stage continues to grow, brings an abundance of academic opportunities that Ghent University does not want to leave unexplored.

In 2006, the need for an institution-wide central coordination point for all matters related to China within Ghent University led to the establishment of the China Platform within the International Relations Office of Ghent University. Since then the cooperation, both on the level of education and research, has increased significantly and as a partner country, China holds an important place in the university's internationalisation policy. The China Platform acts as the central point of contact for students, professors, researchers, embassies and governments, in all China-related affairs. The China Platform stimulates, facilitates and supports cooperation initiatives from Ghent University and from external partners.

To better harmonize the academic, political and economic realities with regard to China, the China Platform entered into a strategic partnership with the Province of East Flanders, the Flemish-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the City of Ghent and the Port of Ghent in 2008.

With a view to strengthening visibility in China, and to creating and perpetuating an extensive and permanent network of Chinese economic, institutional and academic partners, Ghent University and the Province of East Flanders joined forces and established a representation office in Beijing.