Mekelle University-MU to work with UIBE, China

Tigrai Online, June 19, 2017

As part of the partnerships expansion to China, MU has marked the starting of an official collaboration agreement with the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) in Beijing, China.

On a series of events that took place from June 13-14, 2017, MU President Dr. Kindeya Gebrehiwot and his delegation attended the inauguration of the Institute of International and Regional Studies and held a series of successful meetings with respected professors, officers and the President of UIBE Prof. Jiaqiong Wang.

On June 13, as an invited guest speaker, President Dr. Kindeya gave a speech at the inauguration of the Institute of International and Regional Studies of UIBE. In his speech he pointed out that MU appreciated the opportunity for partnership since the establishment of the institute is in line with MU's strategic focus on internationalization. He said, "Our attendance today is a golden opportunity, because our government works closely with the Chinese government. As you might have witnessed, our prime minister was in your university and was awarded an honorary professorship. That shows how seriously you have taken the partnership and collaboration with Ethiopia and the region." In his concluding remarks, he added, "We would like to work very closely in terms of capacity building, technology transfer and regional studies." The inauguration was attended by higher officials of the Chinese government, ambassadors, diplomats and partners of UIBE.

 On the 14^th of June, the first meeting, which was held with the Executive Director of the Strategic Center for China’s Open Economy and International Technology Cooperation at UIBE, Prof. Xia Youfu and the Director of the Center of International Business Ethics Prof. Liu Baocheng focused on high level strategic topics and has put clear direction on how the two institutions should proceed with newly embarking partnership. During the discussion, priority areas of collaboration were identified in such a way that outlined the potential startup activities and the long term major tasks that would in return assure the worthiness and the sustainability of the partnership. Brief introductions of MU and UIBE were given by respected delegates of each party during the discussion. The need to establish an Ethiopia - China research center at UIBE and MU was a major point of discussion. Both parties agreed that the center will be crucial in serving as a spring board for multifaceted collaborative efforts.

In addition to laying out the possible activities within the framework of this MoU, a great deal of possibilities were pointed out from the perspective of the existing strong intergovernmental collaboration between Ethiopia and China and its implication on higher education.

During the meeting with the President of UIBE, Prof. Jiaqiong Wang, historical background on the ties between the two countries were raised and the two institutions were presented in such a way that policies and visions were core points of the talk. The two presidents agreed on what should be done to materialize concrete results based on a formal agreement.  Finally, to realize all that has been dealt on, a memorandum of understanding was signed between MU and UIBE.

It is to be recalled that in May 2017, UIBE has awarded FDRE Prime Minister H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn and Honorary Professorship in recognition of his contribution to the ever strengthening brotherhood of the people and the governments of China and Ethiopia. UIBE was also visited by H.E. Ambassador Seyoum Mesfin, Ambassador of FDRE to China, as one of the promising higher institutions of China with a great potential to partner with Ethiopian higher education institutions.

A visit to the cultural Museum of UIBE was part and parcel of the MoU signing ceremony. A traditional Chinese luncheon was hosted by the President of UIBE to honor the delegation and the starting of the partnership.

The Ethiopian Embassy in Beijing and Ethiopian postgraduate students and researchers played the main role in organizing meetings and creating communications with UIBE and many other Chinese institutions. The Ethiopian Embassy hosted a dinner to the MU delegation during which Ambassador Seyoum discussed on the importance and ways of handling and managing strategic partnerships in Ethiopia Higher Education Institutions.

News by: International Affairs Directorate, Mekelle University