On August 19, 2024, the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) hosted a distinguished delegation from Yanshan University (YSU) China, led by Professor Zhao Xianfeng, Secretary of the Party Committee. This visit marked a significant milestone in the flourishing partnership between the two institutions, underscoring the deepening academic and cultural ties that have been cultivated over the past year, particularly since the launch of the Confucius Institute at BIUST (CIBIUST).
In his opening remarks, BIUST Vice Chancellor, Professor Otlogetswe Totolo, expressed his excitement over the rapid development of the relationship between BIUST and YSU. He highlighted the visit to Beijing in December 2023, where he attended the World Languages Conference at the invitation of YSU President, Professor Zhao Dingxuan. This trip, along with the President’s prior visit to BIUST in October 2023 for the Confucius Institute’s launch, has been pivotal in fostering strong connections and fruitful exchanges between the two universities.
Professor Totolo praised YSU’s global reputation for excellence in engineering and technology, noting that this aligns with BIUST’s mission and values. The partnership has already led to significant activities, including the participation of BIUST’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning, Professor Elisha Shemang, in the Confucius Institute Advisory Board’s annual meeting in China. This meeting was focused on aligning the Institute’s activities for the next two years and exploring broader collaboration beyond the Confucius Institute.
The Vice Chancellor emphasized that this visit provided an opportunity for both institutions to exchange ideas and deepen their bond of friendship. He expressed optimism about the potential for collaborative projects that leverage the strengths and expertise of both universities to address global challenges and advance scientific and technological progress. He also announced plans to activate academic exchanges that would facilitate faculty and student mobility between BIUST and YSU, potentially starting as early as June 2025. These exchanges are expected to enrich students’ academic experiences and broaden their perspectives.
Professor Zhao Xianfeng, in his remarks, expressed his pleasure at visiting Botswana and extended warm greetings on behalf of Yanshan University. He commended BIUST’s achievements in scientific research and talent cultivation, acknowledging its strong academic reputation and international influence. Professor Zhao highlighted the successful inauguration of the Confucius Institute at BIUST in October 2023 as a significant milestone in their partnership and noted that the Institute has already begun operations with the arrival of YSU personnel in August 2024. He emphasized the role of the Confucius Institute in fostering collaboration between the two institutions and promoting mutual understanding between the people of China and Botswana.
Looking to the future, Professor Zhao expressed hope that this visit would further expand the scope and depth of collaboration between BIUST and YSU in areas such as higher education, scientific innovation, and cultural exchanges. He expressed confidence that the partnership would continue to inspire and benefit future generations, contributing to the broader goal of building a community with a shared future for humanity.
The visit concluded with both universities reaffirming their commitment to strengthening their partnership. Professor Zhao extended his best wishes for the continued success of the Confucius Institute and expressed confidence that the friendship between China and Botswana, and between China and Africa, would endure and flourish.
The growing collaboration between BIUST and Yanshan University marks a promising chapter in the academic and cultural ties between Botswana and China, with the Confucius Institute at the center of this evolving relationship. The visit by Professor Zhao and his delegation has set the stage for even greater cooperation, ensuring that this partnership will continue to inspire and benefit generations to come.
