Offical Visit By SNAEIA and North African Delegiation of Ministry of Education & University Presidents to China Jiliang University

On August 15, 2023, the Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association, along with delegations from the Ministries of Education and university representatives of Tunisia and Morocco, visited China Jiliang University for an exchange and cooperation activity.

On the morning of August 15, the Association and the 28-member delegation engaged in discussions on international education exchange and collaboration at China Jiliang University.

Attendees included President Xu Jiangrong, Vice President Wang Binrui, Dean of the School of Economics and Management and Secretary-General of "The Belt and Road" Universities Association for Standardization Education and Academics Le Wei, Dean of the International Education College Bai Gongxun, and others from China Jiliang University. The meeting was chaired by Wang Jianqi, Director of the International Affairs Office.

At the beginning of the meeting, President Xu Jiangrong delivered a welcoming speech. President Xu warmly welcomed the visiting delegation and expressed gratitude to the Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association for providing the opportunity for face-to-face exchanges between the university and the education departments and university leaders from North Africa. President Xu also expressed hope for enhanced collaboration between the university-led "The Belt and Road" Universities Association for Standardization Education and Academics and the Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association.

Following President Xu's speech, Secretary-General Chen Lu of the SNAEIA addressed the gathering. Chen Lu expressed gratitude for the warm reception and strong support from China Jiliang University to the Association and the visiting delegation. She introduced the Association, initiated and established under the joint proposal of experts in the fields of higher education departments, education and cultural institutions, and representatives of several Chinese enterprises in North Africa. The Association aims to promote the connotative development of internationalization in Chinese and North African universities, enhance the internationalization level of Chinese and North African universities, seize new opportunities for international cooperation and exchange in the new era, build a regional international education cooperation platform, and contribute to the construction of a community of shared destiny between China and Africa. Currently, the Association has nearly 50 member units, including government bodies, universities, and overseas Chinese enterprises. She expressed the Association's willingness to provide a platform for high-quality and pragmatic cooperation between China Jiliang University and North African universities. She also invited faculty and students from the university to visit North African universities.

After the speeches, Vice President Wang Binrui provided an overview of the university's history, characteristics, strengths, and international exchange and cooperation efforts. Le Wei, Dean of the School of Economics and Management, briefly introduced the development of the Belt and Road Universities Association for Standardization Education and Academics.

During the roundtable discussion, representatives from the education departments and university presidents of Tunisia and Morocco engaged in in-depth discussions with China Jiliang University on topics such as deepening international exchange and cooperation between universities, faculty and student exchanges, talent cultivation, and enhancing the international competitiveness and influence of research achievements in advantageous disciplines. Representatives from the education departments and universities expressed a strong desire to collaborate further with China Jiliang University in teaching and research.

After the meeting, China Jiliang University arranged for the Association and delegation to meet with more than 20 Moroccan international students, the Moroccan Ministry of Education and university leaders warmly greeted the students and expressed concern about their learning and living conditions.

Subsequently, the Association and the delegation, guided by the teachers, toured the beautiful campus of China Jiliang University and visited the China Jiliang University Metrology Museum, a specialized museum that integrates the exhibition, collection, research, and promotion of metrological history and culture. English explanations throughout the visit were provided by Hou Wenling, a teacher from the International Exchange and Cooperation Office.

The delegation was deeply impressed by China Jiliang University's history, academic and research achievements, unique features, and level of internationalization during this visit.