A two-day “Chinese Higher Education Expo 2018” hosted by the Consulate General of China began at Biswa Bangla Convention Centre on Thursday. More than 60 universities spread over 11 provinces and municipalities of China participated in the expo besides students from various schools.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Ma Zhanwu, Chinese Consul General in Kolkata, said: “The Chinese universities are here to introduce themselves and develop a healthy relationship with the Indian universities with a motive to encourage Indian students to study in China. About 18,000 Indian students are already studying in China and approximately 2000 Chinese students are pursuing their higher education in India. These numbers have to increase.”

The representatives of the top universities of China were present at the expo to publicise their achievements and find Indian hands of co-operation. Nanjing University, Jiaotong University, Northwest University, Sichuan University of Science and Technology are a few of the best universities in China.

Mr. Zhanwu said: “India, especially West Bengal, has given us many great educators and teachers like Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar and Rabindranath Tagore. The people here have a lot of potential and we want the children to make full use of it for the benefit of both the nations. We want them to be the assets of the countries.”

For the comfort of the students, the expo includes on the- spot Chinese visa enquiry and scholarship assistance. Answering questions on the benefit of Indian students, Mr. Zhanwu said that the Chinese universities do not require any entrance examination.

In fact, the government, as well as the university, have various scholarship schemes for international students which include accommodation facilities and tuition fees.

He also added that the students have more than a hundred majors to choose from, which are taught in English. The expo is part of the ongoing effort of the Chinese Consulate to promote cultural and educational exchanges between China and the five states in eastern India, namely, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. It would uplift the current Indo-Chinese relationship and it is the result of the informal meeting held in Wuhang, China.