China’s and BUU’s influence received a major boost in September when it signed an exciting new tourism course agreement with representatives from Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia.

BUU’s “16+1” Tourism School Alliance was established during the Second China-CEEC 16+1 Capitals Mayors Forum in the impressive Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro in South Eastern Europe. On behalf of BUU, Vice President Zhang Liancheng signed the Alliance Declaration with the University of Donjia Gorica, Montenegro, the University of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the St. Kliment Ohridski University, Macedonia. Yan Xuyang, Executive Deputy Dean of the School of Tourism, was also present at the ceremony.

The Signing Ceremony

Also in attendance were Chen Jining, Deputy Party Secretary and Acting Mayor of Beijing City, Ambassador Huo Yuzhen, Special Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Central and Eastern Europe, Cui Zhiwei, Chinese Ambassador to Montenegro, Montenegro Premier Markovi and Deputy Premier Simovic and the mayors of 13 cities in Central and Eastern European countries.

Chen Jining presenting his keynote speech

Following the principle of ‘mutual respect, equality, common benefit and win-win cooperation’, the Forum aims to build a cooperative partnership between Chinese and Central and Eastern European universities. It encourages deeper multi-party exchange and cooperation in tourism and education, including the establishment of tourism and cultural centers and the holding of related events.

All sides are committed to carrying out project cooperation in tourism research and training, student competitions and mutual visits, international academic education, and tourism destination promotion.

At present, the 16+1 Tourism School Alliance has members including the University of Donjia Gorica, Montenegro, the Mediterranean College, the Univerzitet Crne Gore, the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Poland, the Belgrade Tourism College, Serbia, the University of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the St. Kliment Ohridski University, Macedonia.