On April 4, 2019, Mr. Mag. Alexandre G. Welzl, senior lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien (UASTW, Austria), visited Zhanlanguan Road Campus of CFAU for academic exchanges at the invitation of the Department of English and International Studies (DEIS). Professor Shi Yi, Dean of the Department, and Associate Professor Ran Jijun, Director of the Division of American Studies, attended the meeting.

A profound discussion about the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and other topics was made. At the meeting, Mr. Welzl introduced how European countries view the initiative of the “Belt and Road”. Professor Shi Yi shared her analysis of the initiative from an anthropological perspective. Professor Ran Jijun briefed the guest how foreign media covered the BRI. In addition, both sides talked about further exchanges and cooperation between CFAU and UASTW. The meeting has strengthened mutual understanding between DEIS professors and their European counterpart. Both sides agreed to have more academic exchanges and further cooperation in the future.