Hebei University Holds Appointment Ceremony for Visiting Professor and Seminar on Regional, Country Studies and Global Governance

On September 25, the appointment ceremony for a visiting professor at the Institute of Regional and Country Studies of Hebei University and a seminar on “Regional, Country Studies and Global Governance” were held on the Wusi Road Campus. Meng Qingyu, Deputy Party Secretary and President, attended the meeting and presented the visiting professor appointment letter to Mr. Andrei Chevelev. The event was chaired by Zhang Jinhong, Dean of the Institute of Philosophy and Social Sciences at Hebei University. Representatives from China Baoxin Group, some researchers from the Institute of Regional and Country Studies of Hebei University, and student representatives also participated.

Meng Qingyu extended a warm welcome to Mr. Andrei Chevelev and introduced the history and current development of Hebei University, as well as the basic situation of the Institute of Regional and Country Studies. He noted that Mr. Andrei Chevelev possesses extensive diplomatic experience and has made significant contributions to promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, supporting the cultivation of young Chinese talent, and advancing specific international cooperation projects. Mr. Chevelev’s affiliation will strongly promote cooperation between Hebei University and international organizations such as UNESCO, injecting valuable wisdom and experience into the university’s academic innovation and internationalization efforts in the field of global governance.

Mr. Andrei Chevelev expressed his sincere gratitude for President Meng Qingyu’s welcome. In his remarks he reviewed his family’s deep ties with China and briefly introduced his work experience at UNESCO and other organizations. He stated that he was honored to be appointed as a visiting professor at the Institute of Regional and Country Studies of Hebei University and would fully support the university’s development.

Following the appointment ceremony, a seminar on “Regional, Country Studies and Global Governance” was held. The seminar was chaired by Professor Du Hao, Director of the International Organizations and Global Governance Research Center at the Institute of Regional and Country Studies of Hebei University, with the newly appointed visiting professor Andrei Chevelev serving as the keynote speaker. Mr. Chevelev provided a systematic introduction to the basic functions and work of UNESCO. He specifically noted that in recent years China has played a key role by actively participating in multilateral cooperation under the framework of UNESCO, contributing significantly to educational cooperation under the “Belt and Road” initiative, science and technology poverty alleviation, and exchanges among civilizations, thereby demonstrating China’s increasing initiative and constructive role within the global governance system. Participants engaged in in-depth exchanges and discussions on related topics.

Andrei Chevelev formerly served as Director of the Asia-Pacific Unit in the Africa Priority and External Relations Sector of UNESCO and was awarded the 2024 China Government Friendship Award. He has extensive bilateral and multilateral diplomatic experience. The successful holding of this appointment ceremony and seminar represents Hebei University’s concrete practice in implementing openness in education and serving the country’s overall diplomatic agenda. It is also an important measure to support the construction of “Double First-Class” disciplines and to build an innovative high ground for regional and country studies.