From August 3 to 8, Tan Tieniu, Chair of Nanjing University CPC Council and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), led a delegation to visit South Africa and Kenya for in-depth discussions with major universities, research institutions, higher education departments, and international organizations in both countries on strengthening science and education cooperation between NJU and African countries.

Visit to South Africa: Deepening Inter-university Connection, Expanding Scope for Cooperation

On the morning of August 4, the NJU delegation first visited Stellenbosch University, meeting with Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Samuel Tshehla. Stellenbosch University has international influence in renewable energy, quantum communication, and other fields. Tan Tieniu pointed out that the two universities have established a good foundation for cooperation under the framework of international university organizations, and hoped to further promote student exchanges and faculty visits, strengthening scientific research cooperation in artificial intelligence, earth sciences, astronomy, social sciences, and other fields. Samuel Tshehla expressed his expectation to work with NJU to promote exchanges between young students of both universities and strengthen cooperation in fields such as artificial intelligence. Both sides reached consensus on signing a memorandum of cooperation and expanding cooperation in complementary disciplines.

Tan Tieniu meets with Samuel Tshehla

At noon that day, the delegation visited the University of Cape Town, meeting with Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Jeff Murugan to discuss formally establishing an inter-university partnership. The University of Cape Town is a top higher education institution in Africa with deep foundations in artificial intelligence, environmental science, earth science, and other fields. Tan Tieniu pointed out that NJU is actively implementing various internationalization initiatives such as the international visiting scholars program, and welcomes faculty and students from the University of Cape Town to visit. Both sides expressed that, based on existing joint research results in environmental science, earth science, and other fields, they will further promote faculty and student exchanges in more disciplines such as climate change, life sciences, artificial intelligence, and humanities and social sciences.

Tan Tieniu meets with Jeff Murugan

In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Hisense South Africa Industrial Park. Tan Tieniu stated that the overseas journey of national brands is full of challenges, and Hisense's establishment of an industrial park in South Africa is a benchmark for Chinese enterprises "going global". Sun Dalei, Deputy General Manager of Hisense Group South Africa, introduced the group's overseas market expansion history and latest developments. Both sides expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation in joint research and development, green manufacturing, and other areas, to promote industry-university-research collaborative innovation, and to build channels for African youth to study at NJU.

Tan Tieniu visits the Hisense South Africa Industrial Park

On the morning of August 5, the delegation visited Department of Higher Education and Training, South Africa, meeting with Marcia Socikwa, Director of University Education. Tan Tieniu pointed out that the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation has opened a new chapter in building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era, with cultural and people-to-people exchanges being one of the important contents of the "Ten Partnership Actions" between China and Africa. NJU looks forward to focusing on key disciplines with South African universities to deepen talent cultivation cooperation and effectively implement the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the consensus of the leaders of China and South Africa. Marcia Socikwa highly recognized the strategic significance of science and education cooperation for the development of bilateral relations and expressed hope to promote closer cooperation between South African universities and NJU, strengthening high-level talent cultivation through faculty and student exchanges, injecting new momentum into the socioeconomic development and friendly cooperation of both countries.

Tan Tieniu presents souvenir to Marcia Socikwa

In the afternoon of August 5, the delegation visited the Academy of Science of South Africa, meeting with Thokozani Majozi, President of the Academy. Tan Tieniu introduced NJU's recent progress in scientific research and international education, expressing hope to promote mutual visits of young scientists through jointly holding workshops or scholar forums, jointly cultivating young research talents, and deepening academic exchanges with the Academy of Science of South Africa. Thokozani Majozi expressed high agreement and hoped to promote scientific research cooperation and personnel exchanges between the two sides in addressing climate change and other areas, jointly contributing to scientific research and educational cooperation between the two countries.

Tan Tieniu meets with Thokozani Majozi

Subsequently, the delegation visited the University of Pretoria, meeting with Vice-Chancellor and Principal Francis Petersen. The University of Pretoria is South Africa's largest public research university with strengths in engineering, social sciences, and other fields. Both sides explored cooperation prospects in artificial intelligence and government management, and signed a memorandum of cooperation.

Tan Tieniu and Francis Petersen sign MOU

On the morning of August 6, the delegation visited the University of the Witwatersrand, meeting with Vice-Chancellor and Principal Zeblon Vilakazi and Deputy Vice Chancellor Lynn Morris. Tan Tieniu pointed out that NJU is actively implementing the spirit of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, promoting practical cooperation in science and education, and continuously contributing to the development of China-Africa relations. He looked forward to strengthening the partnership with the University of the Witwatersrand through this visit. Zeblon Vilakazi highly praised NJU's international influence and expressed willingness to work with NJU to take bilateral cooperation to a new level. Both sides will further promote student exchanges, focusing on in-depth cooperation in environment, earth sciences, artificial intelligence, government management, and African studies.

Tan Tieniu meets with Zeblon Vilakazi

On the same day, the delegation also held talks with Wu Shaokang, Chairman of FLT Holdings (Pty) Ltd, reaching consensus on sponsoring South African students to study at NJU and promoting cooperation between NJU and South African higher education institutions.

Visit to Kenya: Focusing on Sustainable Development, Building a New Ecology of Cooperation

On the morning of August 7, the NJU delegation visited the University of Nairobi, meeting with the Acting Vice Chancellor Francis Mulaa. Tan Tieniu stated that the heads of the two countries have elevated bilateral relations to a China-Kenya community with a shared future in the new era, and in-depth exchanges in science, education, and culture are becoming important bonds for enhancing mutual understanding between the peoples of both countries and consolidating the foundation of friendship. NJU is willing to explore various forms of exchanges with the University of Nairobi, including university-enterprise cooperation, and welcomes more Kenyan students to study at NJU. Francis Mulaa introduced the University of Nairobi's educational history and disciplinary strengths, looking forward to strengthening cooperation with NJU in information, engineering, social sciences, and other fields.

Tan Tieniu meets with Francis Mulaa

Subsequently, the delegation met with Daniel Mugendi Njiru, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Embu, at the Kenyan Ministry of Education. The University of Embu specializes in agriculture and engineering disciplines. Both sides signed a memorandum of cooperation to conduct student exchanges and academic collaboration.

Tan Tieniu and Daniel Mugendi Njiru sign MOU

In the afternoon of the 7th, the delegation visited the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), meeting with Soomi Ro, Director of the Administrative Division. Tan Tieniu stated that NJU has always been committed to promoting global sustainable development and looks forward to deepening cooperation with UNEP. Soomi Ro highly appreciated NJU and looked forward to extensive cooperation in environment-related fields, welcoming NJU students to intern at UNEP. Both sides will strengthen linkages in Africa-related projects, senior researcher exchanges, young scientist cultivation, personnel training, etc., with a focus on conducting collaborative research on artificial intelligence and climate change.

Tan Tieniu meets with Soomi Ro

On the morning of August 8, the delegation visited Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), with Acting Vice Chancellor Robert Kinyua, Deputy Vice Chancellors Bernard Ikua and Jackson Kwanza attending the symposium. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology has traditional strengths in agricultural sciences and broad prospects for cooperation with Nanjing University in environmental science, artificial intelligence, and African studies. Both sides will advance the signing of a memorandum of cooperation and strengthen cooperation in engineering, social sciences, government management, and other fields.

Tan Tieniu meets with Robert Kinyua

Subsequently, the delegation visited the Sino-Africa Joint Research Center located on the campus of JKUAT. The Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, established in May 2013, is the first comprehensive science and education institution built by the Chinese government overseas and one of the first overseas science and education institutions built by the Chinese Academy of Sciences in developing countries, jointly operated by the Wuhan Botanical Garden of the CAS and JKUAT. The center has established regional cooperation offices or joint laboratories in multiple African countries including Ethiopia, Tanzania, Madagascar, and Rwanda, forming a cooperation network for scientific research and talent cultivation in Africa. Tan Tieniu had in-depth exchanges with African Director Robert Gituru on topics such as establishing NJU's African Research Center.

Tan Tieniu meets with Robert Gituru

During this visit, the delegation also paid courtesy calls to Wu Peng, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, and Guo Haiyan, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya. Tan Tieniu introduced NJU's development and progress in exchanges and cooperation with Africa. The delegation also met with NJU alumni in Kenya and had cordial exchanges.

Tan Tieniu meets with Ambassador Wu Peng

Tan Tieniu meets with Ambassador Guo Haiyan

Heads of the International Affairs Office, Graduate School, Institute of African Studies, School of Computer Science, and School of Government accompanied the visit.