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Teachers and Students Join 2025 Yangtze River Delta Seminar

The Yangtze River Delta's "New Sinology Program" doctoral seminar took place at Fudan University from May 10 to 11, 2025. This significant academic gathering was co-hosted by the Ministry of Education's Sino-Foreign Language Exchange and Cooperation Center alongside Fudan University. Additional organizational support came from prestigious institutions such as East China Normal University, Nanjing University, Shanghai Foreign Studies University, and Zhejiang University. The seminar was marked by the attendance of Wang Yong, the director of the Sinology Research Department, and a delegation from our university, which included Vice Dean Cheng Lei, three doctoral students, their supervisors, and project personnel.

During the opening ceremony, our 2023 doctoral student Tungamirai Eric Mupona (Milai) took the stage to share his experiences while studying in China, providing personal insights that resonated with the audience. The seminar was structured around three main components: special lectures, academic seminars, and thematic discussions. Notably, Zhang Yong, a doctoral supervisor from our School of Media and International Culture, delivered a thought-provoking lecture on the topic 'Sinology Narratives in China-Africa Documentaries,' using relevant case studies to illustrate key points.

In addition to the special lectures, the doctoral students from the "New Sinology Program," including Tungamirai Eric Mupona, Abubaker ElSiddig Ahmed ElMustafa ElSheikh Hayaty (Abu), and Cheng Zhen (Zeng Zhen), presented their research directions. Their findings were met with constructive feedback and guidance from their mentors. This interactive platform not only enhanced their academic pursuits but also fostered a culture of collaboration and support among peers and faculty.

Throughout the seminar, separate discussions took place among doctoral students, their supervisors, and project managers with representatives from the Language Cooperation Center. These discussions centered on key themes such as student training and effective project management, with participants exchanging valuable insights based on the current status of the "New Sinology Project." These collaborative discussions highlighted the commitment of all involved to advance the goals of the program.

The seminar notably enhanced cooperation and exchanges among universities across the Yangtze River Delta region. By gathering a diverse array of academic perspectives, the event aimed to pool collective wisdom to refine and improve the quality of the "New Sinology Program" initiative. Such collaboration is essential for fostering deeper cultural understanding and scholarly exchange among participating institutions.