On October 8-16, a delegation from Shaanxi Technical College of Finance and Economics visited Kalamata, Greece with company of YGL. The delegation is led by Professor CHENG Shuqiang, the President of Shaanxi Technical College of Finance and Economics.

Shaanxi Technical College of Finance and Economics has jointly established the Qinling Workshop with IEK Orizon with the help of YGL. The cooperation started from 2021, and this is the first visit to Greece of the Chinese party after the pandemic. For this visit the delegation aims at further strengthening the partnership with IEK Orizon, and discuss on more details of talents cultivation. Located in Xi'an, the sister city with Kalamata, the Shaanxi College delegation also wants to build more connection with the government and industrial partners at Kalamata.

The visit started with meeting at IEK Orizon of Bougas School. Mr. Bougas, the CEO and director of IEK Orizon warmly welcomed the delegation and showed them around the campus, and the teaching facilities of the IEK Orizon. Both parties further talked about the next step of the Qinling Workshop.

On Oct 11th 2023, Wednesday, the Shaanxi College delegation visited the city of Kalamata, with the company of Bougas Schools and IEK Orizon. The delegation met with The mayor Thanasis Vasilopoulos.

The mayor welcomed the delegation and briefly introduced the history of the City Hall and how it transformed from an old energy-consuming hospital building to currently the greenest building in Greece with the geothermal system. He mentioned the rapid development of Kalamata in recent years. As a constantly developing and changing city, Kalamata has participated in the European network and secured funding for developing projects. In addition, he specifically mentioned the tremendous success of Kalamata city, which was listed as one of the 100 climate neutral and smart cities before 2030. As the mayor said this opened up prospects for further development and improving the quality of life of residents.

The mayor recalled that he himself visited Xi'an as the deputy mayor in 2018. As he has always said visiting Xi'an gave him a vivid lesson, allowing him to understand how universities and cities can jointly promote development and establish cooperative bonds.

Correspondingly, representatives of the Chinese delegation expressed gratitude to the mayor for his welcome and congratulated him on embarking on a new career journey. The members of the Chinese delegation said that Kalamata excites them, and the beautiful environment and friendly people here have left a deep impression on them. They described Kalamata as a city full of hope and a bright future. At the same time, they also expressed gratitude for the support of the Kalamata City Government and hoped that both sides can establish lasting cooperation and friendship. The Chinese delegation invited the mayor to visit Shaanxi Technical College of Finance and Economics, and the mayor gladly accepted the invitation, stating that providing support and mutual cooperation is the only way for society to move forward.

The mayor also mentioned the connection between Shaanxi Technical College of Finance and Economics and Kalamata, Olison Vocational Training School, and Fortis Bongus, and pointed out that the educational projects have provided a lot of educational work for Kalamata city. Nikos Stakias and Nektarios Giannopoulos from Olison Vocational Training School accompanied the Chinese delegation.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the cooperation prospects, technological exchanges, support for joint education projects, and opportunities for further cooperation with the city and government between Xi'an and Kalamata. The Chinese delegation would visit the University of Patras, and Chinese educational institutions also planned to launch new learning programs in the coming years. At the same time, it was emphasized that the Chinese Foundation is actively seeking opportunities overseas and is aware that Kalamata has all the background conditions for further cooperation. Finally, both parties pointed out that cooperation with Olison Vocational Training School has begun, and some Chinese students will come to Kalamata for visiting studies in the near future.

At the end of the meeting, both sides exchanged gifts, and the mayor of Kalamata awarded the Chinese delegation the city flag and the 200th anniversary medal of the Greek Revolution. The Chinese side also returned handmade artworks.

After the meeting at the city council, the Shanxxi College delegation visited the Messinian Chamber of Commerce. This chamber is the 2nd oldest chamber of commerce all cross Europe. The president of the Chamber, Mr. Evangelos Xigoros hosted the meeting with the delegation, along with other members of the chamber. It is praised that the cooperation between Shaanxi College and IEK Orizon has brought new opportunities for cooperation in business and trade, as well as training of personnel between the two cities, not only between the institutes. Professor Cheng invite the Messinian Chamber of Commerce to participate in the Shaanxi Alliance of Vocational Education, which consist of the main education provide and enterprises in Shaanxi Province. Mr. Xigoros accepted the invitation with joy. Both parties then talked about more potential cooperation modes, which extend from education to commercial cooperation.

After meeting, the Kalamata friends take the delegation for a local cuisine. This visit further strengthened the understanding and exchange of Shaanxi College and its partners, also deepened the friendship between Xi'an and Kalamata. With help of YGL, Shaanxi Technical College of Finance and Economics will further expand its cooperation scope with the institution and organizations in Greece, to be the bridge of friendship between China and Greece.