The second phase of the China-Africa Consortium of Universities Exchange Mechanism Annual Conference wrapped up at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) on Sept 7.

The conference, themed “China-Africa Higher Education Cooperation and Development in the Digital Age”, aimed to deepen higher education cooperation, advance digital transformation in the education sector and contribute wisdom and strength to the building of a Sino-African community with a shared future. The event was hosted by BFSU.

Wang Dinghua, secretary of the CPC BFSU committee and Chinese executive director of the China-Africa Consortium of Universities Exchange Mechanism, speaks at the closing ceremony. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Wang Dinghua, secretary of the CPC BFSU committee and Chinese executive director of the China-Africa Consortium of Universities Exchange Mechanism, emphasized the significance of Sino-African higher education cooperation in the digital age.

He said he hoped collaboration could be intensified with the building of mutual understanding and trust between China and Africa, setting an example for global educational exchange and cooperation.

Jia Wenjian, BFSU president and deputy secretary of the CPC BFSU committee, speaks at the closing ceremony. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Jia Wenjian, BFSU president and deputy secretary of the CPC BFSU committee, said in his speech that BFSU has always played a proactive role in promoting Sino-African higher education cooperation, with a particular focus on the three development strategies of global languages, culture and governance.

By offering multiple African language programs and building inter-university exchange platforms, BFSU has promoted knowledge sharing and academic cooperation between China and Africa, making due contributions to the establishment of a Sino-African higher education community and a Sino-African community with a shared future, he added.

The conference inaugurates the Sino-Ghana Joint Laboratory for Harbor Conservancy and Development and the HBUT-UNIVEN Future Leaders Academy. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

Shao Rong (left), president of YCIT, and Nosisi Nellie Feza, deputy vice-chancellor of UNIVEN, deliver keynote speeches during the conference’s academic dialogue session. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

The conference also featured an academic dialogue on “China-Africa Education Policy Alignment and Cooperation Prospects in the Digital Age”, where Shao Rong, president of Yancheng Institute of Technology (YCIT), and Nosisi Nellie Feza, deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Venda (UNIVEN), spoke on Sino-African cooperation across various fields, including environment and sustainable development, academic exchange, digital education, teacher training, agricultural development and youth community interventions.

University leaders and other key figures share their insights during the conference’s roundtable discussion session. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]

In-depth discussions were also held, bringing together university leaders and other key figures to share their insights.

Opening performances by teachers and students from the BFSU School of African Studies and the university’s art troupe [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn]