For scholars and students in Peking University who show an interest in German education, the last week of September is undoubtedly the most precious.

Free University and Humboldt University, both located in Berlin, held for the first time a "University Day" on the campus of Peking University, bringing a joint educational exhibition, six lectures and a new bilateral agreement.

"The purpose of holding this German 'University Day' is to further boost the cooperation with the two universities," said Xu Zhihong, president of Peking University.

According to Xu, Peking University has already established good relations with over 200 universities worldwide.

"But our emphasis has been on the North American universities," said Xu. "We usually have more cooperation with US universities."

"I want scholars and students from Peking University to not only have a knowledge of the US, but also of Europe, Asia and Africa," said Xu.

"Though we have some cooperation with German universities, it doesn't mean we have a clear and holistic picture of them."

Many German universities, like Free and Humboldt, have a batch of outstanding scholars in natural science, social science and humanities, said Xu. "They have made great contributions, and this deserves our attention."

Peking University has a long history of cooperation with the two leading German universities. It started the first cooperative agreement with Free University in 1981.

"Numerous guest professors, scholars, and lecturers form both universities have profited from it," said Dieter Lenzen, president of Free University.

In 2001, an exchange program began to include students form Peking University and Free University.

With the new bilateral agreement signed on September 19, new cooperative programs will be carried out to strengthen the Sino-German collegial relationship.

The Center for German Studies at Peking University was also officially inaugurated in the same week. Free University will be assuming the management for the initial three years in collaboration with Humboldt University.

The purpose of setting up the center is to "integrate scholars of different disciplines, like in the fields of economics, culture and natural science," said Xu.

Peking University students, who have a good command of German, can study in this center for a master's degree, two years in Peking University and another one year at Free or Humboldt, according to Wu Ningning, who studies German history in Peking University.

Peking University has also chosen Free University as its site for a Confucian Institute. According to Lenzen, the building of the institute is now under way, and will open in the first part of 2006.

(China Daily October 6, 2005)