ТЕНДЕНЦІЇ РОЗВИТКУ СПІВПРАЦІ В ГАЛУЗІ ВИЩОЇ ОСВІТИ МІЖ КИТАЄМ ТА ЄС

Abstract

One of the contemporary goals of China is the development of innovations that can be achieved with the help of education. In particular, in recent decades, cooperation between China and the EU in the field of higher education has evolved. In this regard, the purpose of this article is to trace collaboration in the field of higher education between the EU and China as an example of soft power development of the latter. Firstly, factors that shape cooperation in the field of higher education are analyzed. Secondly, opportunities in the advancement of student mobility are discussed. Thirdly, existing challenges related to collaboration in higher education are evaluated. The research reveals that China invests significant resources in the development of higher education, supporting education programs on national, local, and university levels. These programs vary from short-term summer schools to the full coverage of the PhD programs. The main motivations to pursue international education are to gain international experience, meet people from other environments, and gain the education of the international level. The analysis of the expectations of the EU states and interests of China demonstrates that there is a significant foundation for the development of bilateral collaboration. In general, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands and France are the most popular destinations among the Chinese students. Among potential opportunities in the development of cooperation in the field of higher education are the growing popularity of Europe as an education center, the personal development, internationalization of education and the establishment of scientific ties. Moreover, it also leads to the strengthening of bilateral relations, implementation of soft power and public diplomacy, political and economic cooperation. At the same time, the potential challenges are flaws in organizational issues, lack of strategic vision from the European side, attempts to control the education process from the Chinese side, the influence of Chinese Students and Scholars Association as well as inconsistency between expectations and actual results of the cooperation.