From June 23 to July 2, 2025, a six-member delegation from Southeast University conducted exchange visits to South Africa, Tunisia, and Zambia. The delegation visited the University of Venda, the University of Pretoria, the Higher Institute of Languages of Tunisia, Mulungushi University, and the Belt and Road Institute of Science and Technology in Zambia. The delegation also called on the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of South Africa and held meetings with distinguished local scholars and representatives of overseas Chinese communities.

At the University of Venda, the delegation held talks with Professor Bernard Nthambeleni, President; Professor Joseph Francis, Vice President; and Mr. William Thabo Dikgale, Head of the Office of International Cooperation. Both sides introduced their respective institutions and engaged in extensive and constructive discussions on the joint establishment of the China-Africa Global South Institute, faculty and student exchanges, and research cooperation. The two universities expressed their shared hope that the China-Africa Global South Institute would serve as a platform to promote cultural mutual learning and common development across the Global South. Following the meeting, delegation leader Professor Wang Qilong and University of Venda President Professor Bernard Nthambeleni signed a memorandum of understanding between the two institutions.

At the University of Pretoria, the delegation met with Ms. Setsipane Mokoduwe, Head of the Department of Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships; Professor Kevin Thomas, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; and Professor Christo Venter from the Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment and Information Technology. Both sides expressed strong interest in cooperation and reached an intent to collaborate in areas such as student and faculty exchanges and joint research in Asian and African studies as well as transportation.

During the visit to the Higher Institute of Languages of Tunisia, the delegation exchanged views with Professor Hichem Masoudi, Dean of the institute; Ms. Samah Korashy Abdelkader, Head of the Chinese Language Program; Professor Sami Ben Ramadan, Dean of the Department of Oriental Languages; and Professor Elhaj Ahmed Khaled from the Chinese Language Program. The two parties reached agreement on strengthening faculty and student exchanges, co-founding an international journal, and jointly establishing a China-Africa Research Center. They also expressed the hope of launching practical university-level cooperation as soon as possible.

At Mulungushi University, the delegation held discussions with Professor Chansa Chomba, Vice President, and Professor B. Halubanza, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology. Mulungushi University shared its priorities in areas such as establishing a digital library, upgrading teaching infrastructure, promoting online education, and facilitating the translation of research into practice. The two sides also explored potential cooperation in faculty and student exchanges and joint research in agriculture, medical pharmacy, and bioengineering.

The delegation was received by Mr. Liu Zhao, Director of the Belt and Road Institute of Science and Technology in Zambia, and other staff members. Both sides expressed hope to leverage the institute as a platform to promote the international expansion of China's advanced technological achievements and online education models.

While in South Africa, the delegation also visited the Embassy of the People's Republic of China. Representatives from the embassy's Education Section and Science and Technology Section met with the delegation. Counselor Li Xudong from the Education Section noted that the upcoming China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges will present new opportunities to further deepen bilateral cooperation in education, science and technology, and cultural fields, which is of great significance for China-Africa educational exchanges. The embassy welcomes and supports Southeast University in pursuing multi-faceted and in-depth cooperation with more South African universities.

The delegation included Professor Wang Qilong and Professor Li Xinfeng from the Institute of Area Studies and the School of Foreign Languages, Professor Liu Kehua, Dean of the School of Foreign Languages, and Miss. Gu Zhengrong, representative of International Cooperation Department, who participated in the entire visit. Professor Ma Tao, Dean of the School of Transportation, and Professor Jiang Wei, Head of the Nantong Cooperative Development Office, joined the delegation during its activities in South Africa.

Text: Gu Zhengrong

Photos: Gu Zhengrong

Translated: Li Yixiao, Zhang Tingting

Proofreading: Guo Qing