CUT, Hangzhou Normal University partnership to grow academic, cultural exchange

From L-R: Mr Teboho Maine: Head of Economic and Rural Development at Mangaung Metro, Mr Moses Kau, Chief Director in the Office of the Premier responsible for international relations, Prof. Alfred Ngowi: Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Dr Chen Chunlei – General Secretary of the CPC Committee of Hangzhou Normal University, China and Dr Yan Baiyan – General Secretary of the CPC Committee of Qianjiang College, HNU.

The MOU aims to extend the effective and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two parties and develop academic and cultural exchange in education, as well as collaborative research projects.

Of great importance to this partnership is the envisaged establishment of the Confucius Institute at CUT which will be constructed once the architectural work is completed. The establishment of the Confucius Institute in the Free State demonstrates the university’s commitment to the region’s multiculturalism and cross-border partnerships that will benefit these universities by exposing their respective employees and students to the globalised world.

In May, Prof. Alfred Ngowi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement at CUT went to Hangzhou Normal University in China to explore areas of collaborations that will be pursued by the two universities.

“Prof. Ngowi’s visit to China and our visit today to CUT symbolise a healthy relationship between the universities. We are very impressed your beautiful campus, academic programmes and research at this university,” said Dr Chen Chunlei, General Secretary of the CPC Committee of the Hangzhou Normal University earlier today before the signing.

“This partnership offers many opportunities of intercultural experiences, intellectual discourse and collaborative research for our students and academics from both institutions,” said Prof Alfred Ngowi.

This partnership is inspired by the high-level trade agreement between South Africa and China, as well as gradual growth of the Chinese population residing in the Free State and the greater number of South African youth attending Chinese universities; some entering the labour market in China.