From November 29 to December 2, a delegation led by Professor Mavluda Yusupova, Director of the International Institute of Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan, visited our university for a four-day academic exchange and cooperation discussion. The visit focused on the protection, research, and inheritance of Silk Road cultural heritage, aiming to deepen substantive collaboration between the two institutions and advance Sino-Uzbek cultural and educational exchanges.
On December 1, the delegation toured the School of Cultural Heritage at our university, accompanied by Professor Chen Qiu Rong, Dean of the Faculty, and Li Xuemeng,, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Office. They visited teaching exhibition halls, as well as specialized workshops on stone carving and metal craftsmanship, and experienced the intangible cultural heritage craft of lacquer fan making.
During the visit, both sides held a symposium to discuss future academic collaboration under the jointly established China-Uzbekistan International Joint Research Center for Cultural Heritage. Topics included collaborative workshops, co-curated exhibitions, faculty and student exchanges, and joint research initiatives. The meeting clarified cooperation frameworks and implementation mechanisms. Following the symposium, symbolic gifts were exchanged, including ceramic artworks, handwoven silk, and academic publications, reflecting the friendly ties and shared vision of cultural collaboration under the spirit of the Silk Road.
On December 2, the delegation further visited the Beijing Ceramics Art Museum and attended an academic symposium titled "Ceramic Art and Cultural Heritage along the Silk Road: A Contemporary Perspective". Professor Chen Mei Xia, Curator of the Beijing Ceramics Art Museum, warmly welcomed the delegation and highlighted the role of ceramics as a vital cultural medium in contemporary cross-cultural dialogue. Professor Mavluda Yusupova presented an overview of the Institute’s annual academic activities and publications. Ceramic master Ren Feng of the Beijing Ceramics Art Museum, Professor Li Bing, Associate Professor Liu Ting, and Dr. Zhao Xuanye from the Cultural Heritage Institute of Beijing City University delivered presentations on topics including black pottery glaze-free kiln transformation techniques, Song Dynasty Jian Kiln craftsmanship, the National Archaeological Site Park System, heritage activation strategies, and educational approaches to cultural heritage preservation. The symposium fostered active discussions and consensus on ceramic innovation, site conservation, and intangible heritage revitalization.
This visit by the International Institute of the Silk Road strengthened mutual understanding between the Silk Road International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan and BCU, laying a solid foundation for sustained collaboration in cultural heritage, intangible heritage transmission, and art research. Both parties expressed commitment to leveraging the historical and cultural bonds of the Silk Road to expand cooperation, refine collaboration mechanisms, and jointly contribute to civilization exchange and the safeguarding of humanity’s cultural heritage through academic and educational efforts.
