Photo source: Hellenic Mediterranean University (HCMU)
Greece and China are strengthening their academic collaboration in global tourism research through the establishment of the Greek–Chinese Research Centre for Tourism and Cultural Heritage.
Jointly created by the Hellenic Mediterranean University (HCMU) and China’s Ningbo University, the center will provide a solid foundation for expanding cooperation and offering new academic opportunities to Greek and Chinese students.
The center was formalized through an agreement signed on November 24 at HCMU’s Rectorate in Heraklion by the university’s Rector Professor Nikolaos Katsarakis, and Zhang Yue, Chief Inspector of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Education and head of the Chinese delegation.
Representatives from three additional universities in Zhejiang Province also attended, highlighting broader Chinese interest in strengthening ties with Greek academic institutions active in tourism studies.
HCMU Professor Nikolaos Katsarakis and Zhang Yue, Chief Inspector of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Education. Photo source: Hellenic Mediterranean University (HCMU)
The initiative builds on the long-standing partnership between HCMU’s Department of Business Administration and Tourism and Ningbo University. In recent years, the two institutions have collaborated on research projects, organized summer schools in Athens and Crete for Chinese students, exchanged faculty, and co-supervised postgraduate theses.
Strengthening research and academic exchange
Through the new center, HCMU and Ningbo University aim to advance scientific research in tourism and cultural heritage, promote knowledge exchange, and support skills development aligned with the needs of the tourism sector.
The initiative is also expected to enhance the international visibility of both universities and contribute to broader discussions on sustainable tourism and heritage management.
Upcoming activities and joint planning
Photo source: Hellenic Mediterranean University (HCMU)
In the months ahead, the center will launch new educational programs for Greek and Chinese students, expand collaboration at the postgraduate and doctoral levels, and organize a summer school for HCMU students at Ningbo University. A bilateral conference on tourism and cultural heritage is also planned for Crete in September 2026.
In addition, the two universities intend to build a broader network of partner institutions in Greece and China to secure funding for joint research. Priority areas include tourism development, sustainability, and cultural heritage — fields that remain central to both destinations’ long-term strategies.
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