On 30 October, a delegation from the Huangshan Municipal Government visited IGS. Led by Vice Mayor Cheng Jixian, the delegation included representatives from Huangshan Tourism Group, the Municipal Education Bureau and the Bureau of Culture and Tourism.
The guests were welcomed by Jessie Wu, the school’s Executive President, and Tobias Steier, Acting Head of School. Discussions focused on opportunities for cooperation in cultural and educational tourism, joint study tours and youth exchanges.
During their visit, the delegation toured the campus and gained an insight into our international learning environment. The meeting began with a short film showcasing Huangshan’s stunning landscapes and the rich cultural heritage of Anhui.
Mr Steier then introduced the school’s holistic approach to education, highlighting its commitment to inclusive learning. Alongside a strong international curriculum, students benefit from a broad range of opportunities in the arts, sport and STEM subjects. Together, these experiences help them develop an understanding of different cultures and perspectives. The delegation welcomed the school’s open and inclusive approach to learning.
Ms Wu highlighted IGS’s role in providing an international educational environment for families in Anhui and supporting the province’s growing international outlook. Founded on the principles of German education and home to a diverse, multinational community, the school offers an international setting for families living and working in the region. Referring to Huangshan’s importance as a centre of Huizhou culture, she expressed her interest in developing closer cooperation, particularly in supporting international families and creating opportunities for educational visits and intercultural learning.
Vice Mayor Cheng praised IGS as an example of successful educational cooperation between China and the international community, combining a global outlook with a strong human-centred approach to education.
Referring to German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s recent visit to Huangshan, he introduced the city’s natural attractions and rich tangible and intangible cultural heritage. He warmly invited IGS teachers and students to visit Huangshan and take part in immersive educational tours. He also expressed his hope that the meeting would mark the beginning of further cultural exchanges led by young people.
The visit provided a valuable opportunity to explore closer cooperation between IGS and organisations in Huangshan’s education, culture and tourism sectors. Both sides expressed an interest in developing joint study tours and opportunities for student exchanges, giving young people the chance to discover each other’s cultures and traditions.
We look forward to building on these discussions and establishing closer links between our school community and Huangshan, while contributing to greater intercultural understanding across the region.