The 2023 World Chinese Language Conference has Officially Begun. A Delegation Comprising Leaders from the Association, both Domestic and Foreign, along with A Group of University Presidents, Went to Participate in the Special Forum on Working Meeting of Chinese Proficiency Test Centers

To promote the high-quality development of international Chinese education, foster cooperation in language and cultural exchanges between China and other countries, enhance mutual understanding and trust among people, the 2023 World Chinese Language Conference was grandly held on December 7, 2023, at the China National Convention Center in Beijing. The Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association, along with 11 education ministry leaders and university presidents from Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria, and leaders from more than 10 domestic universities, were invited to attend.

This conference, themed "Chinese for the World, Openness into the Future," is hosted by the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China and co-organized by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation , the Chinese International Education Foundation, and the International Society for Chinese Language Teaching. Approximately 2,000 participants, including education authorities and institutional leaders from over 160 countries, heads of international language and cultural organizations, leaders of international organizations, university presidents, renowned Chinese education experts, sinologists, and diplomats stationed in China, and representatives from enterprises, are in attendance.

The conference includes two main events,Plenary Session and Main Forum. The conference will also feature panel forums,including the Second China-GCC Language and Culture Forum, the First World Young Sinologists Forum, Professional Degree Construction and Personnel Training of International Chinese Language Education, Wor king Meeting of Chinese Proficiency Test Centers, and Global ChinesePlus Conference.These events will focus on topics such as language education and mutual learning across civilizations, international collaboration in education, "Chinese+TVET",and the digital advancement of Chinese language education. They aim to facilitate discussions on new achievements, emerginig needs, and current hot topics, uniting domestic and international efforts to collectively promote the establishment of a new paradigm for high-quality international Chinese language education.

Experts and scholars from China and abroad are engaged in discussions and deliberations around new achievements, new demands, and new hotspots. The conferences aim to build consensus and bring together domestic and international forces to jointly promote the high-quality development of international Chinese education in a new pattern.

On the morning of December 7th, from 9:00 to 12:00, the delegation of leaders from the Association, both domestic and foreign, participated together in the special forum on Working Meeting of Chinese Proficiency Test Centers. During the forum, Mr. BELGACEM LOTFI, the President of the University of Sousse in Tunisia, delivered a speech and expressed his pleasure at personally witnessing the official licensing ceremony of the Chinese Learning and Testing Center. This signifies that the University of Sousse will deepen its Chinese teaching and HSK examination activities in the future, providing students with more opportunities for learning and exchange. Under the guidance of the Chinese Learning and Testing Center project, the University of Sousse expects more students to choose Chinese courses. Through learning Chinese, students will gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, enhance mutual understanding among young people from the two countries, and promote cooperation and cultural exchange between China and Tunisia in higher education.

In order to implement the important directives outlined by General Secretary Xi Jinping in his keynote speech at the China-Gulf Cooperation Council(GCC) Summit on December 9, 2022, regarding the establishment of Chinese Learning and Testing Centers, and to advance the co-construction of the "Belt and Road," as well as to facilitate the opening up of vocational education both inbound and outbound, Chinese Testing International has partnered with the Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association to initiate the selection process for the construction units of the 2023-2026 Humanistic Exchange "Chinese + Vocational Skills" Base Project.

The collaborative effort aims to establish a "Chinese + Vocational Skills" base, co-create a "Chinese Learning and Testing Center," and formally inaugurate it. This initiative, based on Chinese language education combined with vocational training, is designed to provide a comprehensive, end-to-end service for overseas individuals, covering education, learning, testing, and facilitating study/internship experiences in China.

After the preliminary and final evaluations of domestic and foreign universities, the Association, in collaboration with Chinese Testing International, cordially invites leaders and representatives from both Chinese and foreign universities to participate in the special forum on Working Meeting of Chinese Proficiency Test Centers at the 2023 World Chinese Language Conference. During this event, the formal ceremony for the establishment of the Chinese Learning and Testing Centers will be held.

In the awarding ceremony, representatives from Beijing Polytechnic, Guangdong Teachers College of Foreign Language and Arts, Nanjing Polytechnic Institute, Jiangsu Food & Pharmaceutical Science College, Chongqing City Management College, Caofeidian College of Technology, Hainan College of Economics and Business, Guangdong Construction Polytechnic, and foreign universities including Hassan 1st University in Morocco, Ibnou Zohr University in Morocco, Uzbekistan State World Languages University in Uzbekistan, University of Monastir in Tunisia, Sup' Management in Morocco, University of Sousse in Tunisia, Northern Kuala Lumpur International College in Malaysia,University Arabe of Sciences in Tunisia, Private University of Marrakech in Morocco, and OFPPT (City of Trades and Skills) in Morocco will sequentially receive the certificates.

After the awarding ceremony, Mr. Hu Zhiping, Deputy Director-General, Center for Language Education and Cooperation, met with BETTACHE DRISS, Director for Africa and International Cooperation of The Office of Vocational Training and Employment Promotion of the Kingdom of Morocco.ABDELMOUNEIM MANSOURI, Regional director for Souss Massa of OFPPT, BELGACEM LOTFI, the President of the University of Sousse in Tunisia, and BEN LAKHDAR TAHAR, the President of Esprit University in Tunisia. They engaged in a cordial exchange during the meeting.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the "Belt and Road" initiative. President Xi Jinping, in his keynote address at the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, emphasized that "humanity is a community with a shared future, and only through cooperation and mutual benefit can we achieve things, do things well, and accomplish great things." Guided by the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity, the Belt and Road initiative has evolved into a long-term, transnational, and systematic global project.

The successful practices of co-building the Belt and Road have continually infused new meaning into the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity. President Xi Jinping's remarks highlight the importance of cooperation and mutual benefit in addressing global challenges and fostering positive outcomes on a global scale.

Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria, as important partners in the "Belt and Road" initiative, have maintained friendly international relations with China. the Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association has been actively involved in international education cooperation with Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria. Seizing this opportunity, the Association will continue to serve as a bridge for communication and collaboration between the education departments and universities of China and North African countries.

Adhering to the principles of "openness, inclusiveness, respect, understanding, and win-win cooperation," the Association aims to deepen and broaden international education cooperation between China and North Africa. It seeks to promote the high-quality development of international cooperation and exchanges in vocational education between China and other countries. The ultimate goal is to contribute more wisdom and strength to the global innovation and development of vocational education.