2024 China-Africa Engineering Technology and Applied Talent Development International Seminar Held at NJIT

Date: 2024-05-20

On May 18, NJIT hosted the 2024 China-Africa Engineering Technology and Applied Talent Development International Seminar, organized alongside the China-Africa Research Society, with support from the Jiangsu Chamber of Commerce in Tanzania. Distinguished guests included former Chinese ambassadors to Rwanda and Morocco, Sun Shuzhong, Gou Haodong, and leaders from African institutions such as William John Saikonde Mgohwa, President of Tanzania’s Mzumbe University, and So Tchatcha Charles, President of the Higher Institute of Translation, Interpretation, and Communication in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Sun Aiwu, Chairman of University Council along with other university leaders, warmly welcomed the guests. The ceremony was presided by Pu Lijie, Deputy Chairman of University Council.

In his opening remarks, Sun Aiwu underscored the long-standing educational collaboration between China and African countries. He detailed the university’s focus on applied engineering education and proposed three main initiatives for deepening China-Africa educational partnerships: First, Strengthening Strategic Cooperation; Second, Expanding Multidimensional Collaboration; Third, Creating Brand Model.

From the perspective of Jiangsu Province's cooperation with Africa and Jiangsu's social science research, Zhang talked about the promising future of China-Africa engineering technology and application-oriented talent training exchanges and cooperation, and provided practical thoughts and suggestions for Jiangsu universities to carry out educational cooperation with Africa.

The conference also invited guests to unveil the "China-Africa Electric Power Engineering Training Center" and "The Belt and Road and African Chinese Business Research Center" of Nanjing Institute of Technology, providing a foundation for enhanced educational and business exchanges.

Keynote speeches followed the opening, with remarks by Sun Shuzhong and Gou Haodong on China-Africa educational initiatives, Liu Chengfu from Nanjing University, and Mzumbe University President William John Mgohwa. Discussions covered topics such as collaborative applied talent development, technical cooperation among universities, and the “additional costs” that Chinese enterprises encounter in Africa. Renowned Chinese experts, including Professor Zhai Fengjie from Tianjin Vocational and Technical Normal University and Professor Li Yuan from Nanjing Agricultural University, spoke on themes including vocational education for poverty reduction, African development opportunities, and China-Africa high-level talent cultivation. These insights offered valuable guidance for advancing China-Africa cooperation in engineering and technical education.

The seminar concluded with breakout sessions where 37 experts discussed topics such as “Challenges and Opportunities in China-Africa Applied Talent Development” and “China-Africa Educational Cooperation and Innovation.” Scholars explored these themes in-depth, sharing reports that captured the collaborative spirit and enthusiasm of the event.

In his closing speech, Zhang Zhenke, President of the China-Africa Research Society, highlighted the long-term significance of the seminar in fostering China-Africa friendships and enhancing cooperation in applied talent development. Representing our university, Vice President Wang Qun thanked all attendees, experts, and organizers for their contributions, remarking that the seminar had created a vivid vision of future China-Africa higher education partnerships.

The event gathered over 120 participants, including faculty leaders, researchers from nearly 30 domestic universities and institutions, entrepreneurs from Tanzania, and international students from Sudan, Ghana, Pakistan, and other countries. Their active involvement in discussions and collaborative exchanges throughout the seminar underscored the shared commitment to expanding China-Africa educational ties and the broader goal of strengthening Sino-African relations through applied talent development.