In a move to deepen academic collaboration, students from Tsinghua University’s School of Journalism and Communication, China, have visited the University of Abuja.
The visit was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the student exchange programme between the two prestigious institutions, the University of Abuja announced in a statement.
The delegation, led by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, was warmly received by the University of Abuja leadership.
Dunhai commended the host institution, describing it as one of Africa’s finest.
“We have had extensive cooperation between universities in Nigeria and China to promote cultural integration. The University of Abuja is one of the best in this continent.
“Tsinghua University is also one of the best universities in China. So, we look forward to having a productive working relationship,” he said.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Aisha Maikudi, welcomed the delegation and expressed her enthusiasm for stronger ties between the institutions.
She noted the university’s longstanding partnership with China and announced plans to establish a Confucius Institute on campus and expand Mandarin language courses for students.
“I believe our Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, and the Department of Political Science will be able to establish stronger academic relationships with Chinese institutions,” Maikudi noted.
The delegation included the dean and deputy dean of Tsinghua University’s Faculty of Media Communication, two faculty members, and 17 PhD students.
During the visit, they participated in a seminar titled “Mutual Learning between Chinese and Nigerian Civilizations” at the University of Abuja’s Faculty of Communications and Media Studies.
Dr. Sherif Ghali Ibrahim, head of the Political Science Department and an expert in China-Africa relations, emphasized that the exchange program would enhance cultural understanding and mutual respect between the two nations.
Reflecting on the event, Ambassador Dunhai cited Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision of fostering mutual learning and tolerance among civilizations as a cornerstone of a peaceful global community.
The visit marks another milestone in the growing relationship between Chinese and Nigerian academic institutions, paving the way for more collaboration in research, cultural integration, and student mobility.
