The 2022 China (Qufu) International Confucius Cultural Festival as well as the Eighth Nishan Forum on World Civilizations is held in Qufu, a county-level city in Jining, Shandong province, from Sept 26 to 28. [Photo/sdu.edu.cn]

The 2022 China (Qufu) International Confucius Cultural Festival as well as the Eighth Nishan Forum on World Civilizations was held in Qufu, a county-level city in Jining, Shandong province, from Sept 26 to 28.

This year's forum, under the theme of "Diversity of Human Civilizations and Common Values of Mankind", focuses on common global topics such as the protection of human cultural heritages, innovation, and the development of culture and exchanges between human civilizations.

Li Shucai, president of Shandong University (SDU), attended the opening ceremony and made a report at the sub-forum Nishan Chinese-Foreign University Presidents Forum, addressing that in the context of a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, integrated development is an inevitable choice for all universities.

Li detailed SDU's practical work in integrating disciplines, industry and education, and opening-up during the sub-forum.

Wang Qilong, vice-president of SDU, said at the sub-forum Dialogue on Thoughts of Confucius and Lev Tolstoy that it is the universities' mission to promote civilized communication, integration, and mutual learning to make the world better. SDU has taken an unshakable responsibility to build the most representative university that inherits China's excellent traditional culture and promotes exchanges and mutual learning between Eastern and Western civilizations.

In addition to the main forum, SDU's professors attended many other sub-forums and shared their opinions in various fields.

Confucius (551-479 BC) was a Chinese educator and philosopher credited as the first to set up a private school to enroll students from different social classes. His thoughts and ideas have had a deep influence in China and around the globe.

Li Shucai, president of Shandong University, attends the opening ceremony and makes a report at the sub-forum Nishan Chinese-Foreign University Presidents Forum. [Photo/sdu.edu.cn]