In the spring of 2023, after lots of online communication, YGL delegation traveled to Crete, Greece, visiting two prestigious universities on the island, the University of Crete and the Technical University of Crete.

Crete, the largest Greek island, is located in the middle of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and is an ancient cultural center. It is also the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Crete entered the Bronze Age as early as 2800 BC. It is the birthplace of the ancient Aegean civilization and the home to Minoan civilization described in Homer's epics. The beautiful island of Crete is known as the "garden of the sea." It is also a famous tourist attraction in the Mediterranean region.

The University of Crete is located in Heraklion, the island's largest city, while the Technical University of Crete is situated in the administrative center of Chania. The two universities are unique in their own ways. The University of Crete is one of the top four comprehensive research universities in Greece, and it was ranked among the top 400 universities worldwide from 2005 to 2010. Since 2021, University of Crete among all four leading Greek universities, joint hands with a number of high-level Chinese universities, presented by Southwest University, started preparations for the establishment of the Center of Chinese and Greek Ancient Civilizations. The Center was officially inaugurated in Athens in February 2023, in the presence of MS. Sun Chunlan, Vice Premier of the State Council of China and the Greek Deputy Prime Minister.

The Technical University of Crete, a research university specializing in engineering, has its engineering disciplines ranked third in Greece and within the top 360 in the world. It ranks first in Greece in terms of scientific research, and has undertaken a large number of research projects in the European Union and Greece. The Technical University of Crete has always been interested in cultural exchanges with China and has cooperated with University of the Aegean in offering Chinese language courses to teachers and students in Crete.

In Chania, the YGL delegates were warmly welcomed by the Rector of the Technical University of Crete, Prof. Zervakis, and the three Vice-Presidents in charge; at the University of Crete, the Vice-President, Prof. Kossioris, together with the heads of the relevant faculties including the School of Engineering and the School of Business, took part in the welcoming meeting. After the meeting, the head of the International Department led the YGL delegates to visit the campus.

Both universities expressed their enthusiastic expectations for cooperation in education and research with Chinese institutions to further promote the dialogue of civilizations and people to people exchanges. They expressed hope that YGL would serve as a bridge, fostering unremitting efforts to enhance cooperation between the universities on Crete and Chinese colleges and universities. This visit opens a new chapter in the cooperation between YGL and Greek universities.