Conference: Cooperation with China. Developing Competences and Structures in European Higher Education

Cooperation with China:<https://www.phil.uni-wuerzburg.de/kowinchi/conference-cooperation-with-china/>
Developing Competences and Structures in European Higher Education<https://www.phil.uni-wuerzburg.de/kowinchi/conference-cooperation-with-china/>

28-29 September 2026
Graduate School, University of Würzburg, Germany

Scientific cooperation between European universities and partners in the People's Republic of China continues to play an important role across disciplines. At the same time, academic collaboration increasingly unfolds within a complex geopolitical and regulatory environment. Universities are expected to navigate evolving policy frameworks, heightened public scrutiny, and questions of institutional responsibility, while safeguarding academic freedom, research integrity and international openness.
Against this backdrop, the China Competence Centre of the University of Würzburg and the KoWinChi project (Interacting Competently with China in Science) -- a joint programme of the University of Würzburg and FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space -- invite participants from across Europe to exchange experiences and reflect together on institutional approaches to cooperation with China.
Over the past two years, the KoWinChi project has worked closely with researchers and administrative staff at German universities to strengthen awareness, institutional sensitivity and informed engagement in academic cooperation with China. The conference builds on these experiences and opens the discussion to a broader European context, creating space for comparative perspectives and shared reflection.

The conference will address the following themes:

1. European messaging towards China: interpretations and impact
2. Managing collaboration with China: institutional approaches
3. Risk management in academic cooperation with China
4. Willkommenskultur: making international students feel welcome
The first day will feature analytical and practice-oriented panels, bringing together university leadership, researchers, administrators, and policy actors engaged in European-China academic cooperation. The second day will take the form of interactive workshops aimed at identifying best practices, governance models, and potential avenues for future European exchange and collaboration.

Register Now
Registration includes access to this exclusive round of discussions, as well as nutrition and refreshments throughout the conference. Participation is free of charge. Secure your spot by completing the registration form available on our website: https://www.phil.uni-wuerzburg.de/kowinchi/conference/.