The Opening of the Beijing Representative Office of China University in Egypt Marks a New Phase in Strengthening Cooperation between China and Egypt in Higher Education

          On March 16, 2022, the Beijing Representative Office of China University in Egypt was officially inaugurated at the 19th floor of Haojing Building, No. 108 Zhichun Road, Haidian District, Beijing. The ceremony was attended by several prominent figures, including Mr. Wang Shenggang, Minister of Education and Technology Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt, Ms. Kalima, Chairman of the Board of Directors of China University in Egypt, Ms. Sonata, Director of International Affairs of China University in Egypt, Ms. Xu Yanhe, Director of China Affairs of China University in Egypt, Mr. Wang Ge, Advisor to China University in Egypt, Mr. E Xuewen, Chief Representative of the Beijing Representative Office of China University in Egypt, Mr. Wang Wei, Dean of the EWIE Research Institute, and Mr. Jin Xiaojun, Vice Dean, as well as representatives from Beijing Language and Culture University, Northeastern University of Finance and Economics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, and Taiyuan University. Representatives of leaders and teachers from cooperative universities such as University of Technology and Hebei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The leaders and teachers of the headquarters of China University in Egypt and the Beijing Representative Office attended the online live unveiling ceremony, jointly witnessing the birth of the Beijing Representative Office of China University in Egypt.

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Leaders and representatives of Egyptian Chinese University, Chinese Embassy in Egypt, and cooperative schools attended the conference

Wang Shenggang, Minister of Education and Technology Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt, spoke at the unveiling ceremony of the Beijing Representative Office of China University in Egypt. He highlighted that China University in Egypt is the only university named after China in Egypt, North Africa, and even the Middle East. Wang noted that Egypt’s strong economic and social development has created a significant demand for talents, especially in applied technical talents. He expressed optimism about the future of international education cooperation between China and Egypt, emphasizing that this moment presents an excellent opportunity for both countries to carry out education exchange and cooperation.

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Speech by Mr. Wang Shenggang, Minister of Education and Technology Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Egypt

He highlighted that Chinese universities in Egypt serve as a symbol of the enduring friendship between the two nations. Since its establishment, these insititutions have trained numerous talents who understand China and are committed to strengthening the friendship between China and Egypt. Currently, cooperation with multiple Chinese universities has made significant strides. The , universities present at today’s ceremony exemplify this progress and showcase the notable achievements in their development and growth..

The Chinese Embassy in Egypt is committed to supporting the expansion of Chinese universities in the country. Chinese Ambassador to Egypt, Liao Liqiang, is actively involved in this initiative, promoting and backing comprehensive collaboration between Chinese universities operating in Egypt and their counterparts in China.

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On site of the unveiling ceremony

At the unveiling ceremony, Karima, Chairman of the Board of Directors of China University in Egypt, outlined the university’s mission. She emphasized that the institutions aims to become the first non-traditional university in Egypt and the Arab world to offer advanced manufacturing technology. Looking ahead, the university plans to expand across Egypt, and forge partneerships with Chinese universities and institutions. This collaboration will enable students to obtain degrees recognized in both Egypt and China, offering practical education that integrates management and technology. The Beijing Representative Office of China University in Egypt will be pivotal in fostering theses cooperative efforts.

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Speech by Ms. Kalima, Chairman of the Board of Directors of China University in Egypt

Ms. Kalima had dedicated her entire career to advancing education. Twenty years ago, she learned about China’s rapid development and made seven vistis to observe the country’s economic and social progress first-hand. She is confident that China will become one of the most influential countries in the world in the future.

Egypt’s development aims to emulate China’s industrialization path, promoting the promotion of the Egyptian Chinese University since 2004, with strong backing from Egyptian President Sisi. To date, China University in Egypt has established four colleges—Engineering, International Business and Economics, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy—and has enrolled over 4000 undergraduate students. At the same time, construction is underway for eight more colleges and affiliated hospitals, with Chinese language course being mandatory. Chinese universities in Egypt have become popular private universities outside of Egyptian government universities and joint private universities with the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

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She aims to make China University in Egypt one of the best universities in Egypt, and therefore looks forward to receiving strong support from all sectors of China. Currently, through cooperation with the EWIE Research Institute to establish a representative office in Beijing, she actively explores and promotes cooperation with multiple Chinese universities such as Beijing Language and Culture University, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Northeastern University of Finance and Economics, Hebei University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Taiyuan University of Technology to achieve leapfrog development in scientific research and teaching, providing more opportunities for outstanding Egyptian students to understand and learn about China’s development experience.

Ms. Xu Yanhe, Director of China Affairs at China University in Egypt, said, “Ms. Kalima has dedicated significant effort to the construction and development of China University in Egypt over the past decade, and has gone through a difficult journey. Her enduring passion for China deeply moved me, so I agreed to accept her invitation to manage the teaching cooperation project between China University and Egypt.”

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Mr. Wang Wei, Dean of the EWIE Research Institute, warmly congratulates the establishment of the Beijing Representative Office of China University in Egypt. He will fully support the work of the Beijing Representative Office in the future and hopes that the China Egypt Education Cooperation Project will take root and achieve stability and success.

E Xuewen, Chief Representative of the Beijing Representative Office of Egyptian Chinese University, announced that the establishment of the Beijing Representative Office of Egyptian Chinese University marks a significant milestone in enhancing collaboration with Chinese universities, injecting new vitality into education cooperation between China and Egypt. The office will serve as a bridge and link between Chinese and Egyptian universities and as an crucial gateway for Chinese universities to expand their education outreach. In the future, the Beijing Representative Office of China University in Egypt will deepen its connections with Chinese universities, bolster educational and cultural exchanges between China and Egypt, and make positive contributions to cultivating and transmitting friendship between China and Egypt, spreading Chinese culture, promoting the spirit of international education cooperation, and playing the role of China as an educational powerhouse.

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Group photo of guests from the Beijing Representative Office

Professor Xiao Liantuan, Vice President of Taiyuan University of Technology, expressed his eagerness to start collaboration with Chinese universities in Egypt. Ma Tieshi, Director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Department at Beijing Language and Culture University, conveyed in a written statement that the University will leverage its unique advantages in Chinese education to enhance cooperation with Chinese universities in Egypt. The aim is to continuously promote the cultivation of more Chinese international talents dedicated to advancing science, technology, and culture between China and Egypt.

Dr. Essam Ibrahim,Vice Chairman of China University in Egypt; Dr. Sonata Abd Allah, Director of International Affairs at China University in Egypt. Zhang Jian, Dean of the School of International Education at Northeastern University of Finance and Economics, and Zhang Yongzhong, Director of the International Cooperation Department at Taiyuan University of Technology, congratulated the establishment of the Beijing Representative Office of China University in Egypt.

At the meeting, Zhao Jiali, Director of the International Student Admissions Office at the School of International Education, Northeastern University of Finance and Economics, shared his experience in collaborating with Egyptian universities on conducting international education initiatives.

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As a new international university with a focus on Chinese cultural characteristics, the University of China in Egypt exemplified the growing cooperation between China and Egypt in education, science and technology, and culture.. It is emerging as a key center for promoting Chinese culture to the Egyptian people. The university has cultivated international scientific and technological talents well-versed in both Chinese and Egyptian cultures, contributing to Egypt’s construction and development, China Egypt cultural exchanges, and the the Belt and Road initiative. It stands as a landmark achievement in higher education between China and Egypt.