On 4 December 2018, Sinisa Bokan, Dean of the University of Novi Sad Academy of Arts, Dubravka Lazic, Vice Dean of the University of Novi Sad Academy of Arts, and Tian Zhen, representative of the China-Serbia Exchange Association, visited the Shanghai Theatre Academy. Yang Yang, Vice President, Zhang Yunlei, Director of the International Exchange Center, and Huang Tunwei, Vice Dean of the College of Chinese Traditional Opera, received the Serbian guests on behalf of the Shanghai Theatre Academy.

The University of Novi Sad Academy of Arts was founded in 1974. The University of Novi Sad is the second largest public university in Serbia. The Academy of Art is composed of the Department of Dramatic Arts, Department of Fine Arts and Department of Music and offers courses at three levels, i.e. undergraduate studies, master studies and doctoral studies.

The two deans of the University of Novi Sad Academy of Arts expressed their willingness to cooperate with the Shanghai Theatre Academy in multiple areas, including teacher-student exchanges, participation in various art festivals held by each side, and proposed the establishment of the "16+1" Alliance of Art Universities in China and Central and Eastern European Countries.

Vice President Yang Yang said that he had visited Serbia before and the City of Novi Sad had left a very good impression on him. He said that Serbian films and paintings have a high reputation in the world, and Shanghai Theatre Academy is willing to further communicate and cooperate with the University of Novi Sad.