Delegation of the Beijing Foreign Studies University to visit Azerbaijan
Beijing, April 19, AZERTAC
A delegation of the Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) headed by its President Peng Long today starts its visit to Azerbaijan.
The delegation is said to hold talks in numerous scientific and higher educational institutions of Azerbaijan for expansion of cooperation in different fields, as well as development of joint projects, share experience and exchange views on staff and student exchange programs and other issues.
During 3-day visit, the delegation will hold meetings at the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Baku State University, ADA University, Azerbaijan University of Languages. The BFSU delegation will ink agreements with the Institute of Literature after Nizami Ganjavi of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan and Azerbaijan University of Languages, on exchange projects.
Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) is a prestigious university in China under the direct leadership of the Chinese Ministry of Education. It is one of China’s top universities listed under the Project 985 and Project 211, both comprising top universities in China. At present, BFSU is one of China’s oldest language universities, teaching the biggest number of languages and offering education at different levels. Located in the Haidian District of Beijing，BFSU is divided into two campuses - the West Campus and the East Campus.
In 1941, BFSU started as the Russian Language Team in the Third Branch of Chinese People’s Anti-Japanese Military and Political College. It was later renamed as Yan’an Foreign Languages School under the direct leadership of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the school was put under the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was renamed as Beijing Foreign Languages Institute in 1954 and merged with Beijing Russian Institute in 1959. Since 1980, the Institute was put under the direct leadership of the Ministry of Education. In 1994, it took on its current name Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU). Today, BFSU teaches 98 foreign languages and offers education programs at different levels, including doctoral programs in foreign languages and literature, Chinese language and literature, journalism and communication, political science, law, management science and engineering, etc.
In more than 70 years, over 90 000 people have graduated from BFSU. BFSU now serves as an important education base for qualified professionals with language competence who, after graduation, work as diplomats, translators/interpreters, businessmen, journalists, lawyers, bankers, etc. For example, among BFSU alumni who work or have worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we have over 400 ambassadors and over 1 000 counselors. BFSU is thus known as the “Cradle of Diplomats”.
Since February last year, the Azerbaijani language is also taught at the University. Within China's Belt and Road Initiative the country’s Education Ministry has decided to prepare specialists on Azerbaijani language and develop special projects to this end.
Shahin Jafarov
Special correspondent
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