Adam Habib, director of the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, led a delegation to Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) on Aug 29. 

The delegation tours the BFSU Museum to learn about the university’s history and achievements. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

The delegation observes the orientation activities organized for the new students and experiences the lively campus atmosphere. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Jia Wenjian, deputy secretary of the CPC BFSU committee and president of the university, speaks during the meeting with the SOAS delegation. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Jia Wenjian, deputy secretary of the CPC BFSU committee and president of the university, warmly welcomed the SOAS delegation, noting that negotiations for the BFSU–SOAS Joint Institute had been successfully concluded and that a formal agreement was about to be signed. He emphasized that the establishment of the institute will serve as a model for China–UK higher education cooperation, with promising opportunities for talent development, academic research and student exchanges.

Jia expressed his gratitude to the teams on both sides and stressed his hope that the joint institute will grow into a highly influential training base for country and area studies specialists. 

SOAS Director Adam Habib speaks at the meeting. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Habib praised BFSU’s academic accomplishments and thanked both teams for their efforts in advancing the joint institute project. The collaboration between BFSU and SOAS is of strategic significance, he said, adding that he hopes they will deepen cooperation in foreign language studies, translation research, Asian and African studies and artificial intelligence. 

BFSU and SOAS hold a ceremony for the signing of their cooperation agreement. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

Following their discussions, the two sides held a signing ceremony for their cooperation agreement. 

SOAS Director Adam Habib gives a lecture at BFSU. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

In the afternoon, Habib gave a lecture titled “Where are We? South Africa and Africa’s Role in the Contemporary World” at the university. Addressing faculty and students of the Country and Area Studies Academy, the School of Asian Studies and the School of African Studies, Habib shared his views on the trends and challenges facing today’s world and how international cooperation can help resolve conflicts and find solutions. 

Wang Dinghua (fifth left), secretary of the CPC BFSU committee, meets with the SOAS delegation. [Photo/bfsu.edu.cn] 

In the evening, Wang Dinghua, secretary of the CPC BFSU committee, met with the SOAS delegation at Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press. SOAS, as a globally renowned institution in area studies and language and cultural education, enjoys an excellent reputation, Wang said. The cooperation between BFSU and SOAS holds great promise, he added.

Wang described the signing of the joint institute agreement as a milestone, saying that BFSU looks forward to working with SOAS through this platform to foster multilingual talent, advance Asian and African studies and promote intercultural dialogue, thereby strengthening China–UK people-to-people exchanges. 

Habib reaffirmed SOAS’s strong commitment to the partnership and expressed confidence that, through the efforts of both sides, the joint institute will usher in a bright future.