Students of the University of Geosciences in Beijing visit Lesvos

Students, accompanied by the Dean of the Geology School at the University of Geosciences in Beijing, Professor Genhou Wang, the professors of the Beijing University of Geosciences, Zhang Jianping and Dong Guochen, participate in the programme coordinated by Professor Nikos Zouros, Director of the Natural History Museum of the Lesvos Petrified Forest.

The Beijing University of Geosciences, in cooperation with the University of the Aegean, has created an educational base in Lesvos for outdoor exercises.

According to Zouros, “this demonstrates the possibilities for cooperation with major universities abroad, and the establishment of the Petrified Forest and the Geopark of Lesvos as a model destination for university students from all over the world.”

In July 2015 this cooperation was strengthened by the signing of a cooperation agreement between the University of the Aegean and the University of Geosciences in Beijing.

Zouros explained to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency that the main purpose of this year’s educational exercise is the acquaintance with the geological structure and evolution of Lesvos, the geological monuments of Lesvos Geopark and Petrified Forest, the recording, protecting and identification methods, as well as their methods of maintenance and management. Students will also be informed about the UNESCO World Geopark programme.

UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development. At present, there are 127 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 35 countries.