ZJU delegation visits Uganda and Egypt to promote educational and cultural cooperation

From July 10 to 17, ZHU Hui, Vice Chairperson of the Zhejiang University Council, led a delegation to Uganda and Egypt to for a series of “My Journey to the Silk Road” cultural and educational exchange activities. The visit strengthened ZJU’s partnerships in Africa and opened up new opportunities for collaboration in education, culture, agriculture, and beyond.

One highlight of the visit was the donation of A Complete Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings to two of Africa’s most prestigious institutions: Makerere University in Uganda and Cairo University in Egypt. In Kampala, ZHU presented the collection to Barnabas Nawangwe Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, and the two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on cooperation in humanities education and agricultural science. The delegation also visited Makerere’s Confucius Institute, where they interacted warmly with faculty and students.  

In Cairo, ZHU met with Ahmed Ragab, Vice President of Cairo University for Education and Student Affairs, expressing the hope of using the art collection as a cultural bridge to align China’s Belt and Road Initiative with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and to explore new areas of academic cooperation. Counsellor FAN Xuecheng from the Chinese Embassy in Uganda and Minister Counsellor LU Chunsheng from the Chinese Embassy in Egypt also attended the ceremonies.

The visit to Uganda also featured the local premiere of two ZJU-produced documentaries — Post-90s: China–Africa Stories and My Journey to the Silk Road, created by Professor ZHANG Yong’s team from the College of Media and International Culture. The films tell authentic stories of deep friendship between young people from China and Africa. At the launch event, ZHU emphasized ZJU’s commitment to building broader platforms for cultural exchange and fostering mutual understanding between the peoples of China and Africa. The ceremony also marked the inauguration of ZJU’s East Africa Practice Base of the International Film & Television Development Research Institute.  

While in Egypt, the delegation visited the UN FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa for discussions with Abdulhakim Elwaer, FAO Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative. Dialogues focused on Africa’s agricultural development, food security, and youth engagement.

The delegation also met with Chinese diplomats in Uganda and Egypt, engaged in academic exchanges with local universities, and conducted on-site visits to major infrastructure projects — including the Egyptian National Railway project, jointly undertaken by China Railway and AVIC International, and the Central Business District of Egypt’s new administrative capital, constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation’s Eighth Bureau — to explore opportunities for university–enterprise collaboration.

The visit was also joined by representatives from ZJU’s Graduate Student Affairs Office, Career Development Center, and the College of Media and International Culture, and the College of Biosystems Engineering and Food Science.

Adapted and translated from the article by ZJU GRADUATE STUDENTS

Translator: FANG Fumin

Photos by ZJU GRADUATE STUDENTS

Editor: HE Jiawen, ZHU Ziyu