On March 2, 2026, Ms. Elizabeth Colucci, Director of Projects and Education Policy at OBREAL (Observatorio de las Relaciones Unión Europea América Latina), visited UNESCO International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education (INRULED).

A specialized working meeting was held at Beijing Normal University (BNU), chaired by Prof. Zhou Zuoyu, Director of INRULED, with representatives from the Faculty of Education, the Smart Learning Institute, the School of Journalism and Communication, and the School of Sociology at BNU. The two sides engaged in in-depth exchanges on cross-regional educational cooperation. Ms. Colucci introduced OBREAL’s operational framework and practical achievements in global educational collaboration, policy dialogue, and capacity building. BNU representatives shared their cutting-edge research, practical experience and core strengths in artificial intelligence in education, digital transformation of education, rural education, and educational equity. On this basis, both parties explored potential modalities for participation in the 2026 Interregional Dialogue on Education and Development in Cairo, as well as collaboration schemes in the fields of AI and digital education. The meeting concluded with a preliminary consensus on resource integration and the establishment of follow-up coordination mechanisms.

During the visit, INRULED accompanied Ms. Colucci on a series of research and exchange visits to the College of Artificial Intelligence at BNU, the Capital Normal University, the UNESCO International Centre for Engineering Education, Peking University, the China Higher Education Association and Minzu University of China.

This visit has effectively enhanced mutual understanding in the fields of digital education and rural education. Moving forward, INRULED will facilitate specific project alignment and resource synergy to translate cooperation intentions into more impactful academic and practical outcomes.