At the invitation of Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE) and Public Administration Institute for Turkey and the Middle East (TODAIE), Prof Feng Jun, Executive Vice President of CELAP led a delegation to visit Greece and Turkey from 11 to 18, December; delegation members include Zheng Jinzhou, Liu Jingbei, Hu Yunchao, Liang Feng and Zhou Yi. The purposes of the visits are to have a better picture of countries along the Silk Road so as to prepare the forthcoming “One Road and One Belt” programs in 2015 and to further explore cooperation and exchanges on the education and training of civil servants.
Presenting Book to Prof Nikos Vettas, Director General of IOBE
Group Photo with Director General of IOBE
The delegation visited IOBE in Greece and conducted an in-depth discussion with Prof Nikos Vettas, Director General of the foundation and Nikos Zonzilos, senior economist with the Bank of Greece. Prof Vettas elaborated on Greece's economic and social development, implications of its accession to the Eurozone, and analyzed the underlying causes of Greece's debt and financial crisis. Prof Feng Jun introduced CELAP’s functions, organization structure, and development as well as its unique strengths. Feng also elaborated on the new landscape, new tasks and new initiatives of China’s economic and social development after the 18th CPC National Congress. He proposed for cooperation on leadership training, research and consultancy with the Greek counterparts and presented The Governance of China by Xi Jinping to IOBE. Prof Nikos Vettas was inspired and he said that China’s development was a success that worths in-depth study. He also expressed the hope that Prof Feng could accept the interview by the mainstream media of Greece so that Greek people understand China's new achievements and its leadership education development. Both sides had a preliminary discussion on future cooperation and exchange on teaching, research and consultancy.
Group Photo with Koç University Faculty
The delegation visited the renowned Koç University, TODAIE, as well as Chinese Embassy in Turkey and Consulate-General in Istanbul. Prof Zeynep Gürhan Canlı, Academic Director of the Graduate School of Business and Ms. Sedef Ercetin from International Office together with other officials and experts received the CELAP delegation. Ms. Ercetin briefed on the development, departments and schools and international cooperation of Koç University and expressed their hope to have exchange programs on teaching and training, and of visiting scholars. After presenting the overview of CELAP, Prof Feng Jun discussed with his counterparts the prospects for cooperation on leadership, MBA, EMBA and entrepreneurial training. Both sides said they would maintain contact and further personnel and scientific cooperation and exchanges. Koç University, founded by the Vehbi Koç Foundation in 1993, is among the top three universities in Turkey. It boasts of 16 academicians of Turkish Academy of Sciences and a great number of research awards.
Group Photo with TODAIE Faculty
At TODAIE, the delegation was received by Onur Ender ASLAN, Director-General of TODAIE, Bora AKS, Director of Foreign Affairs, and Ilgin ATALAY, Foreign Affairs Coordinator. TODAIE is responsible for the training of public administration management at all levels in Turkey and also engages in academic research and education of public administration management. Prof Feng Jun introduced CELAP’s development, training programs and unique features. Feng also gave a further explanation on China’s political, economic and social development after the 18th National Congress of the CPC and the new governance concepts of General Secretary Xi Jinping. ASLAN responded that like China, Turkey was also in a stage of rapid development, therefore the bilateral cooperation has broad prospects. He suggested that the two sides sign a cooperation agreement to carry out substantive training and research cooperation. He also looks forward to arranging TOAIE’s major training programs together with CELAP, including the forthcoming Administrative Secretary Program (Vice-ministerial level and above). Feng said that CELAP could customize classes for Turkish officials.
Greece and Turkey are important geographic nodes along the Maritime Silk Road and the Land Silk Road respectively and therefore they boast unique geopolitical and strategic significance. The visits to the education and official training institutions in these two countries will further broaden CELAP’s international cooperation prospect.
