GDUFS and the World Trade Institute Launch a Strategic Academic Partnership

The signing ceremony, held online, brought together faculty members and academic leaders from both sides to celebrate this important milestone.

Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS) and the World Trade Institute (WTI) of the University of Bern have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking the beginning of a new phase of institutionalized academic cooperation between the two institutions. The signing ceremony, held online, brought together faculty members and academic leaders from both sides to celebrate this important milestone.

The partnership brings together WTI’s internationally recognized expertise in interdisciplinary research and education on trade and investment with the mission of the School of International Governance Innovation (SIGI) at GDUFS, a newly established academic unit dedicated to advancing research and teaching in international governance, international rulemaking, and public policy. “Now, we have an institutional framework for collaboration in faculty and student exchanges, research, educational programs, and academic conferences, reflecting a shared commitment to sustained, long-term academic engagement,” says Prof. Manfred Elsig, Managing Director and Director of Research at the WTI.

At a time when the international trading system and multilateral governance frameworks are facing profound challenges, both institutions underscored the importance of academic cooperation, evidence-based research, and high-quality education in preparing future generations of global experts. As a strong supporter of multilateralism and international institutions, the World Trade Institute emphasized the significance of deepening partnerships in China, while GDUFS reaffirmed its commitment to contributing scholarly insights to global governance reform. Together, the two institutions expressed confidence that this collaboration will generate meaningful academic, policy, and societal impact in the years ahead.

“At a time when the international trading system and multilateral governance frameworks are undergoing profound transformation, cooperation between our institutions is particularly important. By bringing together the respective strengths of the World Trade Institute and the School of International Governance Innovation, we believe this partnership can make meaningful contributions to policy-relevant research, academic training, and the development of the next generation of scholars and practitioners,” says Prof. Longyue Zhao, Dean of School of International Governance Innovation, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.

With optimism and mutual respect, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and the World Trade Institute embark on this new chapter of collaboration, confident that their partnership will contribute to international academic exchange, capacity building, and the advancement of global governance research.