Irbid, Dec. 17 (Petra) -- Yarmouk University and China’s Shanghai Theatre Academy have discussed ways to strengthen academic and cultural cooperation, particularly in the fields of theatre education, performing arts, and artistic exchange.
The discussions took place during a meeting between Yarmouk University President Dr. Malek Al-Sharaari and Zhao Xiaoqiang, Cultural Counselor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Amman and Director of the Chinese Cultural Center, who was accompanied by a delegation from the Shanghai Theatre Academy.
Dr. Al-Sharaari underscored the depth of Jordanian-Chinese relations and the strong academic ties linking Yarmouk University with Chinese higher education institutions. He described the visit as an important step toward expanding joint academic and research cooperation across cultural and artistic disciplines.
He said the university seeks to establish effective partnerships with leading Chinese academic institutions to enhance cultural exchange, support joint research initiatives, introduce Chinese language programs, and provide scholarships and specialized training opportunities for students. He also noted that Yarmouk University hosts Chinese students and offers Arabic language programs for non-native speakers.
Al-Sharaari highlighted the role of the Faculty of Fine Arts in preparing graduates who contribute to national and regional artistic development, affirming the university’s readiness to cooperate with the Shanghai Theatre Academy in areas of mutual interest.
For his part, Zhao expressed the Chinese side’s commitment to strengthening cooperation between Chinese universities and Yarmouk University, praising its efforts to promote Chinese language education and deepen cultural ties between the two countries.
Members of the Shanghai Theatre Academy delegation commended Yarmouk University’s cultural openness and its role in fostering intercultural dialogue. They reviewed the academy’s academic journey as it marks 80 years since its founding, noting its evolution into a comprehensive arts institution offering undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs in theatre, traditional Chinese opera, dance, film, and television.
The delegation also expressed readiness to expand cooperation with Yarmouk University, particularly in theatre studies, with the aim of developing joint academic programs that promote innovation and respond to future needs in arts education.
The visit included a tour of the Faculty of Fine Arts, where the delegation was briefed on its academic departments and programs, as well as a visit to the Jordanian Heritage Museum at the Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology.
//Petra// RZ
