On the afternoon of November 25, local time in Chile, Professor Chen Taotao, Director of the Latin America Center at Tsinghua University, visited the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. During her visit, she met with President Ignacio Sánchez, Vice President for International Affairs Lilian Ferrer, and Vice President for Research Pedro Bouchon to discuss ongoing and future cooperation between the two institutions across various fields.

Professor Chen reviewed the collaborative efforts between Tsinghua University and the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile in recent years, particularly emphasizing the significant achievements of the joint project China–Latin America Youth Challenge to Alleviate Poverty. She expressed her gratitude to Rector Sánchez, Vice President Ferrer, and Vice President Bouchon for their dedication to strengthening and expanding the relationship between the two universities and for their continued support on various collaborative initiatives. She also conveyed her hope that both sides would continue to foster this fruitful tradition of cooperation, advancing mutually beneficial partnerships in a broader range of areas.

President Ignacio Sánchez noted that the collaboration between the two universities began with the Tsinghua-UC MBA student exchange program and has since grown into a positively consistent partnership, marked by frequent mutual visits and outstanding results. He really appreciated the work carried out by the Center in promoting exchanges and mutual support between China and Latin America and affirmed that the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile would continue to work closely with the Center to promote comprehensive, high-level collaboration.

Vice President Pedro Bouchon highlighted the technology transfer initiatives between the two institutions and expressed confidence that, with the Center´s support, this partnership would reach new heights. Vice President Lilian Ferrer, in turn, emphasized the role of the Center as a bridge in student exchange between China and Chile. She noted that in 2023 alone, the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile hosted 84 students from various departments of Tsinghua University, and that these exchanges have deepened mutual cultural understanding, laying a valuable foundation for trust-building and friendship.

The 2024 Poverty Alleviation Challenge, co-organized by Tsinghua University and the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, successfully concluded in late August. With support from State Grid/CGE, seven winning students from the Chilean competition will travel to China in January 2025 to participate in an international exchange experience.