On November 25 local time, Qiu Yong, secretary of the CPC Tsinghua University Committee, visited Ethiopia to attend the Forum on Science & Technology Cooperation and Sustainable Development in the Global South. During the visit, Tsinghua University signed memorandums of understanding with Addis Ababa University and Mekelle University, contributing Tsinghua’s strength to advancing the All-Weather Strategic Partnership between China and Ethiopia.
At the forum venue
On the morning of November 25, the Forum on Science & Technology Cooperation and Sustainable Development in the Global South—hosted by Tsinghua University’s Institute for Carbon Neutrality and the Department of Earth System Science—convened in Addis Ababa.
The event featured remarks from Qiu Yong; Kindeya Gebrehiwot, state minister of Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education; Lelise Neme, director general of the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority; and Getachew Engida, co-director of the China-Africa Leadership Development Institute, Tsinghua University, and former deputy director-general of UNESCO.
Experts and scholars from both China and Ethiopia engaged in in-depth discussions on strengthening China–Africa cooperation across multiple fields to advance sustainable development.
Qiu Yong stated that this year marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Ethiopia. As two major countries of the Global South, China and Ethiopia enjoy a deep foundation of cooperation and broad prospects for future collaboration.
He emphasized that Tsinghua University has long valued exchanges with African countries and has continuously advanced cooperation in academic research, talent cultivation, and people-to-people engagement. Looking ahead, Tsinghua is ready to work with Ethiopia and other African nations to seize the historic opportunities brought by the development of artificial intelligence, further strengthen joint scientific research, expand faculty and student exchanges, and deepen collaboration in public health, clean energy, climate change, sustainable development and other key areas.
He added that by working together, both sides can better address common challenges facing humanity and deliver greater benefits to the two countries and their peoples.
The African guests emphasized the significance of China–Africa cooperation, highlighting its profound and lasting impact. They expressed confidence that partnerships with Chinese universities, particularly Tsinghua University, will strongly advance scientific innovation and green energy development across Ethiopia and wider Africa. Such collaborations are crucial for promoting sustainable development and building a shared future for humanity and nature.
Tsinghua University and Mekelle University sign a memorandum of cooperation
At the forum, Qiu Yong and Fana Hagos Berhane, president of Mekelle University, signed a memorandum of cooperation. The two universities will strengthen collaboration in areas such as talent cultivation and joint research.
Tsinghua University and Addis Ababa University sign a memorandum of cooperation
On the afternoon of Nov 25, Qiu Yong visited Addis Ababa University and signed a memorandum of cooperation with President Samuel Kifle.
Qiu Yong underscored Tsinghua University’s strong commitment to international engagement and high-level opening-up in education. He expressed his hope to enhance collaboration with Addis Ababa University in talent cultivation, joint research, platform development, and academic exchanges. By working together to promote industry-academia-research integration, the two institutions can inject new vitality into the longstanding friendship between China and Ethiopia.
Samuel Kifle introduced key initiatives at his university and expressed his hope to deepen engagement with Tsinghua University by launching joint training programs and research projects.
During his visit to Ethiopia, Qiu Yong met with Jiang Feng, head of the Chinese Mission to the African Union. Their discussions explored the potential for universities to play a greater role in supporting China–Africa cooperation and achieving more fruitful outcomes.
Heads of relevant departments and offices of Tsinghua attended the related activities.
Editors: Li Han, John Paul Grima
