On December 8th, Anderson Pedroso, President of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) and esteemed member of the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU), embarked on his first visit to China. On the 29th of the same month, President Pedroso had a private audience with Pope Francis at the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican, where the Pope commended PUC-Rio for its contributions to human and social development through its robust educational and research initiatives.
During his stay in China, President Pedroso explored TBC, reinforcing the symbiotic relationship between the two institutions. Dr. Simon Koo, TBC’s Executive Director, extended a warm welcome and expressed enthusiasm for deepening cooperation. President Pedroso underscored the value of the partnership with TBC, recognizing the shared mission and alliance within the IAJU consortium. He envisioned this visit as a gateway to expansive international collaborations and dialogues, aiming to bolster sustainable growth and understanding between the institutions.
PUC-Rio President Anderson Pedroso (former left) and TBC Executive Director Simon Koo (former right)
Highlighting the engagement with various Chinese enterprises, President Pedroso clarified that PUC-Rio’s primary interest has always been in academic exchanges. TBC, with its diverse programs like “Study Abroad,” “CareerVentures,” and “ChinaContact,” stands out as the ideal partner for PUC-Rio. Through collaborative efforts with TBC, President Pedroso is keen on facilitating academic visits, lectures, seminars, and comprehensive cultural immersion for faculty and students. This initiative is poised to enrich their academic journeys and provide a nuanced understanding of China’s historical, cultural, and societal facets.
Visit the collection of TBC
This visit signifies a new phase in the collaboration between PUC-Rio and TBC, laying the groundwork for deepened international exchange and cooperation. TBC also looks forward to collaborating with more IAJU members, collectively building bridges for cultural exchange between the East and West.
Visit the Anton Library of TBC
Beijing’s Temple of Heaven may be one of, if not, the most iconic tourist sites in Beijing. Constructed starting back in 1406, around the same time as the Forbidden City and the other respective temples of the Sun, Earth and Moon.
Another one of the more irreplaceable experiences we have in China as students is the amount of cultural exchange we get to participate in. While The Beijing Center organizes plenty of culture-based events, from tourist activities to arts workshops, there’s something about engaging with other people our own age in cultural exchange that’s really special.