On March 20, 2025, Shandong University of Art and Design hosted a symposium with the German Federal Association of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (BVMW) and BVMW Shandong at its Changqing Campus. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on cultural and creative industry collaboration, international exchanges, and educational outreach, reaching multiple cooperative intentions.
The symposium was held in the morning at the Administrative Meeting Room on the 5th floor of the Office Building of the Changqing Campus. Chaired by Han Wentao, Party Committee Member and Vice President of Shandong University of Art and Design, attendees included German representatives Liu Yin, Chief Representative of BVMW Shandong Office; Xu He and Liu Kailu from BVMW Shandong; and university representatives Lin Yufeng, Director of the University Art Museum; Yu Jianglong, Deputy Director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Office; and Li Ning, Project Section Chief of the Cooperation and Development Office.
The meeting began with discussions on the cooperation agreement between Shandong University of Art and Design, BVMW, and Hozean Group. Both parties agreed to integrate the university into Shandong Province’s “government-industry-university-research-finance-service” innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, with this clause to be included in the formal agreement. The university will draft the agreement text and further negotiate details with the German side. Additionally, both parties will sign entry documents and a framework agreement to ensure smooth progress.
During the donation ceremony, BVMW presented Shandong University of Art and Design with two German pewter engravings: Carl Spitzweg - The Eternal Bridegroom and The Postman of Rose Valley (Der Briefbote im Rosenthal). Lin Yufeng, representing the university, accepted the donation and issued a certificate of appreciation. Lin emphasized that these artworks not only hold significant artistic value but also symbolize the profound cultural friendship between China and Germany.
Subsequently, both sides explored the establishment of collaborative platforms. The German side proposed setting up a cooperative hub at the university, complete with a partnership plaque. Future plans include creating a dedicated member-managed collaboration hall to attract enterprises and establishing a research and design center under the “government-industry-university-research-finance-service” framework to align with industry needs and drive project commercialization.
The meeting also addressed the upcoming “German Future Day” event on April 9. The university will prepare promotional materials, including PPTs and banners, to showcase Shandong’s cultural and creative achievements. A small delegation is planned to visit Germany next year to further advance bilateral cooperation.
Regarding future collaboration, topics included cultural outreach, joint Sino-German creative R&D centers, and educational initiatives. The German side suggested that if the “government-industry-university-research-finance-service” ecosystem operates successfully, a permanent creative R&D center in Germany could foster deeper cooperation in education, training, and seminars. Additionally, both parties agreed to discuss collaboration further at the October meeting of the Shandong Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), including leadership engagements to promote cooperation between industrial design associations.
This symposium laid a solid foundation for collaboration between Shandong University of Art and Design, BVMW, and Hozean Group. Moving forward, the parties will deepen cooperation in cultural and creative industries, educational outreach, and R&D design, driving mutual development in cultural arts and industrial innovation between China and Germany.