From April 10 to 19, 2016, President NING Bin was invited to lead a delegation to visit Kenya, Egypt and Algeria. The delegation met with representatives from related universities, governmental agencies as well as Chinese and foreign enterprises. A number of agreements have also been signed. This visit of the three African countries was a complete success and has achieved the desired objectives, which gave momentum to the international cooperation between BJTU and African universities as well as the exploration of the modes for international industry-university cooperation.
During the visit in Kenya, the delegation was invited to visit the Kenya Railways, holding discussions with Mr. A.K.Maina (Managing Director) and other senior officials. Both sides have reached consensuses on further expanding cooperative areas and upgrading cooperative level on the basis of the existing international student joint education programs. Both parties held in-depth discussions upon conducting railway-engineering trainings for Kenyan technical and management personnel. On behalf BJTU, NING Bin signed the three-party cooperative agreement with Kenya Railways and China Communications Construction Company Ltd. (CCCC). This agreement helps the Chinese enterprises to “going global” to promote the sustainable development of the cooperative programs and cooperative relations with African countries. Then, Mr. Wilson Nyakera Irungu, Deputy Minister of the Kenyan Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, held talks with the delegation on the development of Kenyan railways in recent years. He hoped that BJTU would join hands with Chinese enterprises to conduct railway technological trainings and talent cultivation so as to exert greater influence on the future development of Kenyan infrastructure and railway talent cultivation.
In Kenya, the delegation also visited the Kenyatta University, holding discussions with Chancellor Prof. Paul Wainaina. Both sides held in-depth talks on conducting mutual exchange and collaborations. Prof. Paul Wainaina hoped that BJTU would fully utilize its rich experience in engineering talent cultivation to conduct practical cooperation with Kenyatta University to cultivate talents on transport. Both sides agreed to commence cooperation on student and faculty exchange. After the meeting, NING Bin and Prof. Paul Wainaina co-signed the MoU between BJTU and Kenyatta University.
The delegation also visited the Kenyan Engineer Registration Board to conduct discussions on the eligibility of training courses. NING Bin also exchanged views and reached consensuses on engineering cooperation with the principals from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Nairobi. Besides, he held talks with the representatives of the BJTU alumni in Kenya.
During the stay in Egypt, NING Bin conducted in-depth discussions and reached consensuses on promoting bilateral cooperation with Dr. Kareema Abdel Kareem, Chairman of the Board of Egyptian Chinese University (ECU). The delegation attended the opening ceremony of the establishment of Egyptian Chinese University. NING Bin addressed the ceremony. Then, NING Bin and Prof. Kareema Abdel Kareem co-signed the Partnership Protocol, agreeing on conducting cooperation on engineering education, especially on civil engineering. Egyptian Deputy Minister of Education, Presidential Press officials and principals from the Chinese Embassy in Egypt also attended the ceremony. Afterwards, NING Bin also received interviews from several media on university cooperation and Sino-Egypt educational and technological exchange.
The delegation also met with Mr. QI Qianjin (Minister) and Dr. TIAN Lulu (Educational Councilor) from the Chinese Embassy in Egypt, listening to related introductions about Sino-Egypt educational exchange and cooperation and the development demands of the Chinese enterprises in Egypt. He expected more cooperation would be carried out with the guide and assistance from the Chinese Embassy to make contributions to the friendly relations between the two countries.
During the stay in Algeria, the delegation visited the University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumedienne, holding talks with President Mohamed Saidi and Deans from related Faculties. During the meeting, Mohamed Saidi expected to borrow the rich experience of BJTU on rail transit to carry out talent cultivation on rail transit engineering. After the meeting, NING Bin and Mohamed Saidi also jointly signed the MoU between the two universities, which marked the first university of China to build up cooperative relations with the University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumedienne.
During the visit in the Public Engineering University of Algeria, the delegation visited the laboratories and student classrooms of the University. NING Bin also signed the MoU with Prof. Mahmoud Bensaibi to carry out personnel training and research collaborations on railway engineering.
Besides, the delegation visited the National Railway Infrastructure Corporation, INFRARAIL.SPA and Railway Design Institute of Algeria. NING Bin also met with Mr. YANG Guangyu, Chinese Ambassador to Algeria. During the visit, NING Bin also held discussions with the alumni from Chinese enterprises in Algeria such as China Railway Construction Corporation, China State Construction Engineering Corporation, China Civil and Qianjian Construction Group.
This visit of the three African countries was a complete success with fruitful results, which gave momentum to the international cooperation between BJTU and African universities, governments and enterprises as well as the implementation of China’s “Belt and Road” Initiatives.
Principals from the Office of General Administration, Office of Academic Affairs and Office of International Affairs also visited the three countries.
