ToRS in China
The leadership of ToRS and ADI have just returned from a demanding but stimulating trip to China.
Ingolf Thuesen, Denise Gimpel, Morten Warmind and Marie Roesgaard at Beijing International Studies University with students from ToRS and their supervisors as well as Chinese students eager to study in Denmark
In Beijing, Hangzhou and Shanghai we visited partner universities, an international conference on Sino-Western exchange, museums and ongoing cultural heritage projects. It was an intense and busy time but a rewarding experience which, we expect, will enhance the international contacts both for the department as a whole and for China Studies.
Internships in China for non-Chinese Studies students
At Beijing International Studies University we were able to meet with students from ToRS and their supervisors as well as Chinese students eager to study in Denmark. Four students from China Studies are pursuing their M.A. research under the supervision of Chinese scholars, and two students from Cross-Cultural Studies are undertaking an internship there as assistants to the Dean. In particular the opportunity for internships in a foreign culture and setting for non-Chinese Studies students is an exciting prospect for the future.
Research and teaching on and with China
We are bringing back new and exciting possibilities of exchange and cooperation in many areas of cross-cultural study for students and researchers alike: cultural heritage, museum studies and even Arabic language teaching. In this way, ToRS can pave a way to cementing multi-disciplinary research and teaching not only on China but also with China.
The visit is part of KU’s new strategy on China launched by the Vice-Chancellor and coordinated through ADI. The China focus is obvious as we all now know China as one of the most important global players, if not the most important global player. We experienced that several times during the meetings. Here is an example:
The Zhejiang Case
At our partner university in Zhejiang, we met with the leadership of a new university museum for Art and Archaeology. They claim they are building the best museum in Asia, and they certainly have hired a top American architect for the job. The exhibition hall measures 25,000 m2 and the museum is scheduled to open in two years.
After our return to Copenhagen, the deputy director of the Zheijang University Museum has sent us some details on how they built up the inventories and facilities.
So we are happy that we have had the opportunity to visit Zheijang in just the right time for ToRS and ADI to become included in this amazing process.
Welcome to China!
Marie Roesgaard, ADI
Ingolf Thuesen and Denise Gimpel, ToRS