From December 8 to 14, 2018, Li Yansong, President of SISU, Director of the Center; Wang Youyong, Director of the Research Department and Deputy Director of the Center; Wang Guangda, Executive Director of the Center and Wang Zheng, Deputy Director of the Office of Foreign Cooperation and Exchange of SISU, were invited to visit the famous universities in West Asia and North Africa, such as Qatar University, Hamad University, Georgetown University Qatar Branch School, Arab Institute of Advanced Translation, Algeria National Higher Political School, also the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar and Algeria and the Chinese in both two countries to promote the educational and scientific cooperation and exchanges with the well-known universities in West Asia and North Africa.
Signing Ceremony for SISU-Qatar University Cooperation Agreement
President Li Yansong and his entourage first visited the University of Qatar, met with the President of the University, Professor Hassan Ben Rashid Dilham, and three vice presidents of teaching, research, strategic affairs, also the directors of the Gulf Research Center. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation to strengthen academic and scientific research cooperation and promote exchanges between teachers and students. President Li pointed out that Qatar University is an outstanding academic institution that plays an important role in the Gulf region. The signing of this agreement aims to expand cooperation between the two sides in various fields and jointly promote the rapid development of China-Arab education. Hassan pointed out that Chinese universities have made remarkable achievements in recent years. The signing of this agreement has established a communication platform for the two universities, which is conducive to mutual experience and mutual understanding, opening a new chapter for cooperation between Qatar University and Chinese universities.
Meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Qatar
During the stay in Qatar, the delegation also visited the Diplomatic Academy under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, the Chinese Embassy in Qatar, the Hamad University and the Doha International Education City under the Qatar Foundation, also the Qatar Branch University under the Georgetown University in the Education City. The discussions involved topics like academic exchanges and university construction in China and Qatar which have deepened mutual understanding and laid the foundation for further cooperation between the two sides.
Meeting with Dean of the Diplomatic Academy under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar
Meeting with the President of Hamad University, Qatar Foundation
Visiting Georgetown University Qatar Branch School
After Qatar, President Li and his entourage went to Algeria. They first visited the Arab Institute of Advanced Translation, directly under the Arab League Secretariat. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding in order to promote academic cooperation, strengthen translation training, and deepen cultural exchanges between Chinese and Arab countries. Algerian students are welcomed to study at SISU under the framework of the agreement. They also hoped that Chinese students will exchange in Algeria to understand the local culture and bring the Chinese story to Algeria. Professor Inam Buyud, President of the Arab Institute for Advanced Translation, hoped to create more opportunities for exchanges between teachers and students on both sides.
Signing Ceremony for SISU-Arab Advanced Translation Institute Cooperation Agreement
Meeting with the Chinese Ambassador to Algeria
Next, the SISU delegation visited the National Institute of Higher Education in Algeria and signed a cooperation agreement. Li Yansong was invited to give a special lecture on the “Belt and Road ” initiative and interacted with the teachers and students of the school. Then, Li Yansong visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Algeria and the Chinese Embassy in Algeria, met with the previous participants of the Arab State Officials Seminar in CARC. The participants thanked the center for providing them opportunities to understand China's reform and opening up policy and experience in governance of the country, they looked forward to continuing cooperation in various fields between China and Arab countries.
Visiting the National Institute of Higher Education in Algeria and giving lectures
Visiting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Algeria
The delegation signed cooperation agreements with three universities in two Arab countries, visited a number of educational institutions and government departments, promoted the construction of exchange mechanisms between Chinese and Arab universities, deepened cooperation in teaching and research fields, and provide more opportunities of exchanging and learning for teachers and students.
President Li Yansong accepted interviews with mainstream media in Algeria
(Foreign Cooperation and Exchange Office of SISU, China-Arab Research Center on Reform and Development, Research Office)