2 Intake Opening

Welcome to the second batch of European Researchers to China!

On June 1st the European Union Delegation in Beijing celebrated the start of the 2nd intake of the STF Programme. Ambassador Serge Abou expressed his warm welcome to the newly arrived fellows and conveyed his appreciation for their choice of coming to China as well as the high expectations the European Union has towards their research stay in this challenging yet stimulating environment.

Georges Papageorgiou, the EU Delegation’s Head of the S&T Section, as well as Johan Cauwenbergh, Head of Operations, joined in the Ambassador’s welcome words and transmitted further messages of encouragement to the Fellows who were about to embark upon their 6-month language and research culture training in Beijing. Heartfelt greetings were also given by the first intake’s participants who were already keen on meeting their new colleagues. After the formal welcome the floor was now given to the second intake fellows themselves who let the audience know about their intentions of joining the STF and their expectations towards the 2 years of doing research in China. Finally, the event was concluded by a pleasant networking cocktail during which the fellows had the opportunity to meet the Science Counsellors of the EU Member States in China, representatives of other European academic organisations and representatives of the Beijing Foreign Studies University, their host for the upcoming 6 months. All in all, the event was concluded in an enjoyable and meaningful spirit – the perfect kick-off for the fellow’s 2-year journey.