On the afternoon of December 9, Vice President Liu Weidong met with a delegation from Universidad de los Andes (Uniandes) led by its Vice President Prof. Silvia Caro Spinel at the Minhang Campus. The two sides held discussions on expanding cooperation areas and deepening institutional ties.
Liu Weidong extended a warm welcome to Vice President Silvia Caro Spinel and her delegation. He noted that, following the signing of the China–Colombia Memorandum of Understanding on Belt and Road cooperation, collaboration between the two countries in education and science has grown increasingly close. He emphasized that Shanghai Jiao Tong University adheres to an open approach to education and looks forward to further strengthening its partnership with Universidad de los Andes, actively exploring multi-level and diversified cooperation pathways, and welcoming more outstanding Colombian students to study and exchange at SJTU.
Vice President Silvia Caro Spinel gave a brief overview of Uniandes and its academic strengths. She stated that, as Colombia’s top private university, Uniandes places great importance on partnerships with Chinese institutions and is highly optimistic about future cooperation with SJTU. With rising economic and cultural exchanges between China and Colombia, she noted a growing interest among Colombian students in learning Chinese and understanding Chinese culture. She expressed hope that the two universities could initiate substantive collaboration in areas such as joint research, faculty and student exchanges, and co-developed courses, thereby elevating bilateral relations to a new stage.
Representatives from the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, Global College, School of Design, and Colombian students at SJTU attended the meeting.
【About Universidad de los Andes】
Founded in 1948 and located in Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, Universidad de los Andes is widely regarded as the country’s leading private university. It ranked 212th globally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings. The university comprises 9 academic units, including Schools of Medicine and Management, and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in medicine, engineering, law, and other fields. Uniandes has maintained long-standing cooperation with Nankai University and jointly established the first Confucius Institute in South America in 2007. Notable alumni include former Colombian President César Gaviria.
Contributed by: Americas Office
Translated by: Denise
Proofread by：Zara
