From Jan 29 to Feb 7, Academician Zhang Jun, Secretary of the CPC BIT Committee, was invited to lead a delegation to visit the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar in the Middle East, where they engaged in dialogues and sought cooperation with local government departments, universities, relevant institutions, and enterprises, achieving fruitful results.
During the visit to the United Arab Emirates, Zhang Jun and his delegation separately met with Sheikh Shaha bin Mohamed Nouri and the Chinese Ambassador to the UAE, Zhang Yiming. They held talks with H.E. Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Education of the UAE, and visited Dubai University and Khalifa University, where they signed cooperation agreements.
During the meeting with Sheikh Shaha bin Mohamed Nouri, the two sides engaged in discussions on cooperation in joint cultivation of talent, bilateral exchange of teachers and students, and high-tech cooperation in artificial intelligence and chip technology.
During the visit to the Chinese Embassy in the UAE, Zhang Jun exchanged views with Ambassador Zhang Yiming on such topics as deepening cultural exchanges between China and the UAE and expanding international scientific and technological cooperation.
At the Ministry of Education of the UAE, Zhang Jun and Dr. Falasi discussed such topics as talent cultivation, academic exchanges, overseas education, and vocational education.
At Dubai University, Zhang Jun and his delegation were warmly welcomed by President Dr. Eesa Mohammed Al Al Bastaki and other university staff. The two sides reached consensus on cooperation in international talent cultivation and cutting-edge technology exploration.
Additionally, witnessed by Consul General Li Xuhang from the Chinese Consulate General in Dubai, Zhang Jun and Bastaki signed a memorandum of understanding on inter-school cooperation.
At Khalifa University, Zhang Jun held talks with President Sir John O'Reilly and Executive Vice President Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, discussing such topics as promoting the construction of joint laboratories, expanding cooperation in characteristic advantageous areas such as drones and unmanned vehicles, promoting cooperation with Sino-Arab joint ventures in industry, academia, and research, and accelerating the cultivation of Sino-Arab small- and medium-sized enterprises, as well as future industries and new enterprises.
During the visit, Zhang Jun also visited the staff and representatives of alumni from BIT at the representative office of the China North Industries Corporation.
During the visit to Bahrain, Zhang Jun and his delegation visited the Higher Education Council of Bahrain, Bahrain Polytechnic, and the University of Bahrain. This was the first official visit by the university to Bahrain.
At the Higher Education Council of Bahrain, Zhang Jun exchanged views with Secretary-General Dr. Diana Al Jahrami on topics such as enhancing mutual trust between the two countries' universities, strengthening the bilateral exchange of teachers and students, and promoting international scientific and technological innovation cooperation.
During his visits to Bahraini universities, Zhang Jun separately held talks with President Prof. Ciarán Ó Catháin of Bahrain Polytechnic and Vice President Prof. Mohammed Ridha Qader of the University of Bahrain, reaching cooperation consensus on topics such as international organization and global governance talent cultivation, promoting international scientific and technological exchange and cooperation, and deepening mutual learning and mutual reference in university governance.
During the visit to Qatar, Zhang Jun and his delegation visited and had friendly discussions with Professor Omar Mohamed Al-Ansari, President of Qatar University, and Professor Ahmad M. Hasnah, President of Hamad Bin Khalifa University.