Contributed by: International Office | Edited by: Liu Ye | Preliminary Review: Wei Xinqiang | Final Review: Liang Lili | Date: June 4, 2024
President Liu Junguo delivers a speech at the meeting.
President Liu Junguo witnesses the launch ceremony of the China–Africa Universities 100 Cooperation Plan.
On May 31, Prof. Liu Junguo, President of the North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power (NCWU), was invited to attend the promotion meeting for the China–Africa Universities 100 Cooperation Plan held by the Ministry of Education at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) and delivered a speech. Wang Dinghua, Secretary of the CPC BFSU Committee and Chinese Executive Director of the China–Africa Consortium of Universities Exchange Mechanism, Zhang Daliang, Vice President of the China Association of Higher Education, and Jiang Yunliang, Secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Normal University Committee and Chinese Executive Deputy Director of the China–Africa Consortium of Universities Exchange Mechanism, attended the meeting and delivered speeches. Olusola Oyewole, Secretary-General of the Association of African Universities, delivered a video speech. More than 150 people attended the meeting, including Hao Qingjie, Deputy Secretary-General of the China Association of Higher Education, Gao Xiaojie, Director of the Academic and Exchange Department, and representatives from member universities.
In their speeches, Wang Dinghua, Zhang Daliang, and Jiang Yunliang emphasized the significance and role of the China–Africa Universities 100 Cooperation Plan in China–Africa relations, all-round China–Africa cooperation in higher education, the construction of the China–Africa Higher Education Think Tank, and the cultivation of international talents. They also called for raising political stance, strengthening the sense of mission, building the China–Africa higher education brand, enhancing communication and practical cooperation, and producing a series of scientific research achievements. Via video link, Olusola Oyewole expressed his hope to accelerate the promotion of the China–Africa Universities 100 Cooperation Plan, strengthen the exchanges between Chinese and African students and teachers, and further consolidate the friendly partnership between China and Africa.
Liu Junguo introduced the progress NCWU has made in the new fields of internationalization and digitalization and emphasized the supporting and leading role of international cooperation in disciplinary development, scientific research, faculty exchange, joint student training, and cultural exchange. He particularly highlighted the NCWU's collaboration with African institutions and the work plan for implementing the China–Africa Universities 100 Cooperation Plan. He stated that NCWU would fully leverage the strengths of its disciplines, BRICS platform, and international cooperation resources to implement the China–Africa Universities 100 Cooperation Plan, enhance aid to and cooperation with Africa, deeply practice the Belt and Road Initiative, and contribute to making Henan Province a new center of openness, serving the Chinese diplomatic agenda, and building a community with a shared future for mankind. Upon invitation, Liu Junguo, along with Wang Dinghua, Zhang Daliang, Jiang Yunliang and other experts, witnessed the successful launch of the China–Africa Universities 100 Cooperation Plan.
At the meeting, Chinese universities selected into the China–Africa Universities 100 Cooperation Plan presented their work plans and discussed in groups how to deepen China–Africa cooperation in higher education and build the cooperation mechanism better and how to enhance the platform's role, streamline information-sharing mechanisms, promote platform participation, initiate research projects, and advance theoretical research and experience summary. Wang Dinghua made a summary of the meeting and outlined the plan for the next stage, which would involve setting up research projects, building think tank platforms, and establishing internal communication mechanisms to deepen exchanges.
The China–Africa Universities 100 Cooperation Plan is a major initiative to implement the Plan for China–Africa Cooperation on Talent Development proposed by President Xi Jinping at the 2023 China–Africa Leaders' Dialogue in Johannesburg. This initiative aims to deepen exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and African universities and enhance students' understanding and recognition of building a China–Africa community with a shared future. It is also a crucial task of the China–Africa Consortium of Universities Exchange Mechanism. In August 2023, the Chinese secretariat of the China–Africa Consortium of Universities Exchange Mechanism was established at BFSU.
The head of the International Office also attended the meeting.