Interdepartmental courses in Chinese Philosophy and Culture at Ionian University
CORFU. The courses, organised by the Hellenic Sinology Centre, along with the Department of Foreign Languages Translation and Interpreting, are the result of a unique collaboration with the Beijing University of Languages and Culture.
(Ionian University) The Ionian University has announced the launch of the first interdepartmental courses on Chinese philosophy and culture, a significant milestone in the academic development of the Institution and the internationalisation of Greek public universities.
The courses, organised by the Hellenic SInology Centre, with the support of the Department of Foreign Languages, Translation, and Interpreting, are the result of a unique collaboration with the Beijing University of Languages and Culture. This partnership demonstrates the Ionian University’s commitment to promoting intercultural cooperation and understanding. The courses are delivered from October 9, 2024, by the Visiting Professor and Executive Director of the Hellenic Centre, Dr. Eleni Avramidou, a leading researcher in the field of Chinese studies, with extensive teaching experience in major universities in China. Following the free offer of Chinese language courses to the academic community of the University, Dr. Avramidou’s expertise brings a valuable international perspective to the Ionian University’s curriculum, further enriching its academic potential.
Designed to serve as a bridge of knowledge between Greek and Chinese thought, the courses are included in the curriculum as elective compulsory (EC) and cover a wide range of topics, from ancient Chinese and Greek thought to modern cultural practices. Our students will have the opportunity to deeply engage with Chinese philosophical concepts, history, and culture through a comparative approach with Greek philosophy and culture, gaining a broader understanding of China’s role and position in the global context.
The Hellenic Sinology Centre, as the organiser of these courses, remains dedicated to promoting the study of Chinese language, philosophy, and culture in Greece. Through this initiative, the Ionian University continues to enhance its reputation as an innovative and outward-looking institution that fosters interdisciplinary studies and seeks organised and effective international collaborations. With the launch of this programme, the Ionian University becomes the first Greek university to officially integrate Chinese philosophy and culture studies into its academic curriculum, laying the foundation for further intercultural academic initiatives in Greece.
The Hellenic Sinology Centre was jointly founded by the Ionian University and the Beijing University of Languages and Culture, to cultivate and promote Sinology and broader Chinese studies, with the development of programmes at the postgraduate, doctoral, and postdoctoral levels.
In this context, a postgraduate programme is being implemented on Security and Cultural Heritage, as well as a joint doctoral programme, aiming to develop high-level skills in both intangible and tangible cultural heritage of Greece and China.
The Centre also organises lectures, seminars, and cultural exchange events and closely collaborates with universities and research centres in China, strengthening academic and cultural relations between the two countries.
