The School of Humanities Delegation Visits Egypt for Academic Exchange

From April 26th to 28th, Ms. Qi Hong, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Humanities at SJTU, led a delegation to Egypt for an exchange visit, with the aim of advancing the school's internationalization efforts. Prof. Wang Yunxia, Vice Dean of the School, Xie Na, a Tenured Professor at the Institute of Arts and Humanities, Professor Guo Liandong, Deputy Director of the Center for International Chinese Education, and Zhang Mingzhe from the Academic Affairs Office, accompanied the delegation.

On April 26th, the delegation's first stop was the Confucius Institute at Cairo University. There, they met with Dr. Rehab Mahmoud, the Director of the Confucius Institute, along with faculty members and students from the Dual Degree Program in Chinese Language and Business Chinese.

Dr. Rehab Mahmoud warmly welcomed the delegation and praised the collaborative efforts between the two institutions. Wang Yunxia provided a detailed overview of the Dual Degree Program, explaining its curriculum, goals, and unique benefits, which provided new students with a structured framework for their academic path. During the discussion, both sides exchanged ideas on teaching methods, course schedules, scholarship opportunities, and thesis writing. Guo Liandong and Zhang Mingzhe, representing the program's faculty, answered students' questions and shared valuable study strategies to help them succeed. Qi Hong encouraged students to make the most of their time at these prestigious universities, emphasizing the importance of dedication and enthusiasm in building a strong academic foundation for their future.

 The graduates' success stories were particularly inspiring. Many had secured excellent jobs thanks to the skills and knowledge they gained from the Dual Degree Program. Zhong Xuan, a distinguished graduate, shared how his experience at Shanghai Jiao Tong University had impressed employers and helped him land his dream job. Bai Zanshan, another graduate, decided to pursue a master's degree at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, further strengthening his ties with the university. This exchange not only deepened mutual understanding but also provided insights for improving the Dual Degree Program.

On April 27th, the delegation met with Mohamed Sami, President of Cairo University. He praised the Dual Degree Program for its success in nurturing talent and fostering cultural exchange, and thanked Shanghai Jiao Tong University for its long-standing partnership. Qi Hong highlighted the program's significance as the first dual degree initiative between Shanghai Jiao Tong University and an African country. She expressed the university's commitment to expanding the program by investing more in faculty and creating additional opportunities for students. Ahmed Ragab, Vice President of Cairo University, Naglaa Rafat, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, and Dr. Rehab Mahmoud, Director of the Confucius Institute, all expressed their desire to deepen collaboration in areas like literature, history, and Silk Road studies. They also suggested organizing international academic events to enhance research and cultural exchange. The delegation invited Cairo University faculty and students to visit Shanghai Jiao Tong University, experience Chinese culture, and foster deeper academic and cultural integration.

 Later that day, the delegation visited the Chinese Embassy in Egypt and met with Lu Chunsheng, the Minister-Counselor. Lu praised the partnership between Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Cairo University as a model for Sino-Egyptian higher education collaboration. He encouraged further cooperation with Egyptian universities and offered valuable suggestions for future initiatives. The delegation pledged to discuss and implement these ideas upon their return, aiming to expand and elevate the collaboration between Chinese and Egyptian universities.