Director of the Europa Institute at Leiden University Prof. Armin Cuyvers visited the College for academic exchange on the morning of 17 July. Dean of the College Prof. Xie Zhiyong met with the delegation on Haidian Campus. Associate Dean Prof. Xie Libin also attended the meeting, which was chaired by Dr. Jiang Fengan of the Institute of European Law of the College.

Xie Zhiyong extended a warm welcome to Professor Cuyvers and introduced the College’s disciplinary strengths, enrollment scale, talent cultivation and student exchange initiatives. He placed particular emphasis on the newly launched undergraduate programme with a focus on EU law, as well as the College’s current progress and long-term goals in the training of professionals for foreign-related legal affairs. He expressed his hope to establish a cooperative platform with the Europa Institute of Leiden University to foster more in-depth collaboration.

Professor Cuyvers thanked Dean Xie for the reception and outlined the purpose of his visit on behalf of the Europa Institute, along with his academic background. He noted that the Europa Institute, established in 1957—the same year as the European Economic Community (EEC)—is one of the world’s earliest institutions dedicated to EU law research. Having learned that the College of Comparative Law leads China in EU law curriculum development, publication of research outcomes, and EU project applications, he expressed great enthusiasm for launching joint research and student training programmes with the College.

The two sides further exchanged views on potential cooperation in undergraduate joint programmes, LL.M degree initiatives, faculty exchanges and international courses, and reached a preliminary agreement to pursue collaborative efforts.