Four students from the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences at UIC took part on 20 July in an international dialogue event organised by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Barcelona. The event brought together young people from Spanish and Chinese universities to reflect on the challenges of the green transition, sustainable development and international cooperation.

Accompanied by faculty lecturer and director of Relations with China Yuan Jia Zheng, students Alba Gimeno Sánchez, Carola Hupperts Fernández, Marc Gil Rosinach and Guillem Pascual Font, who are enrolled on the Faculty’s double degree and master’s programmes, took an active part in the working sessions. They presented case studies and raised questions on sustainability, innovation and opportunities for collaboration between China and Spain.

According to Yuan Jia, the event “captured the spirit of international dialogue perfectly” and highlighted the potential of UIC students in global academic environments. “They demonstrated curiosity, analytical thinking and the confidence needed to take part in an international discussion,” she said.

For Yuan Jia, initiatives of this kind demonstrate the true meaning of university internationalisation. “There is no greater satisfaction than seeing our students become active participants in global conversations. Internationalisation is about creating opportunities for young people to exchange ideas, learn from different perspectives and help build a more sustainable future,” she said.

Participation in this event reinforces UIC’s commitment to internationally focused education, aimed at preparing professionals who can address major global challenges through a critical, open and collaborative approach.

Experience highlighted as the most valuable aspect by students

The students also spoke very positively about the experience. Alba Gimeno Sánchez, a graduate of the Master’s Degree in Cooperation, Development and Social Economy, said that the event reaffirmed for her “the importance of cooperation” between countries in order to “advance the green transition and build a more resilient society”.

For Guillem Pascual Font, a student on the Double Degree in Business Administration at UIC and Finance at Birkbeck, University of London, the most enriching aspect was “sharing ideas with students and lecturers from different universities” and reflecting on the role of “innovation, education and international collaboration” in building a more sustainable future.

Marc Gil Rosinach, who is studying the Double Degree in Business Administration and Industrial Production Engineering at UIC, likewise valued the exchange with students from Tsinghua University, which helped him gain a deeper understanding of “how economic cooperation and the integration of technological solutions are essential” to driving the green transition.

Yuan Jia also expressed her gratitude to the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Barcelona for the invitation and highlighted the importance of spaces that bring together academia, institutions and the business community. In this regard, she emphasised that “the future of cooperation between China and Spain will be built not only through institutions, but also through the talent, ideas and commitment of the next generation”.