On December 19, the signing and inauguration ceremony for the China-Zimbabwe International Joint Research Institute of Civil Engineering, jointly established by Xi’an Technological University and the Zimbabwe Ministry of Skills Audit and Development, was held at our university. The ceremony was attended by H.E. Ms. Abigail Shonhiwa, Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe to China; Mr. Huang Yong, Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shaanxi Provincial People’s Government; and Professor Yao Yao, President of Xi’an Technological University. The ceremony was presided over by Vice President Yan Li.
Before the ceremony, Hou Chengyi, Secretary of the University Party Committee, met with the Zimbabwean delegation. He welcomed the delegation and expressed optimism about the prospects for bilateral cooperation. Ambassador Shonhiwa expressed her expectation that the Joint Research Institute would further promote mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides.
During the ceremony, President Yao Yao delivered a speech. He noted that Zimbabwe and China are “all-weather friends” and comprehensive strategic cooperative partners tested by time, and that the establishment of the Joint Research Institute is a manifestation of the deep friendship between the two countries. He affirmed that the university would fully support the development of the institute, promoting deeper and broader collaboration between China and Zimbabwe in educational synergy, scientific innovation, and joint talent cultivation.
Mr. Huang Yong pointed out that the establishment of the institute is a concrete step in implementing the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and deepening the “five-star ironclad” friendship between China and Zimbabwe. He reviewed the positive progress made in recent years between Shaanxi Province and Zimbabwe in governmental exchanges, educational cooperation, economic and trade collaboration, and agricultural training. He put forward three expectations for the institute: first, to serve as a “bridge of innovation” promoting industry-university-research-application synergy in civil engineering; second, to become a “field for nurturing talent” cultivating professionals with both technical and cross-cultural competence; third, to act as a “window of friendship” fostering mutual learning and people-to-people bonds between China and Zimbabwe.
Ambassador Shonhiwa stated that the establishment of the Joint Research Institute is an important measure to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. She highly commended the strength and contribution of our university in relevant disciplines and expressed her hope that the institute would develop into a demonstration platform for technical cooperation and talent cultivation between the two nations. During the ceremony, Ambassador Shonhiwa also read out a congratulatory letter from Hon. Paul Mavima, Minister of Skills Audit and Development of Zimbabwe, who extended his congratulations on the establishment of the institute and expressed gratitude to the Chinese government and our university for their support.
Huang Hua, Dean of the School of Civil and Architectural Engineering, introduced the formation of the institute.
Witnessed by the attending guests, President Yao Yao and Ambassador Shonhiwa jointly signed the Framework Agreement on the Joint Establishment of the China-Zimbabwe International Joint Research Institute of Civil Engineering and unveiled the institute’s plaque.
After the signing ceremony, accompanied by Vice President Xu Jun, Ambassador Shonhiwa and her delegation visited the New Energy Research Institute, the Intelligent Manufacturing Innovation Works, the Experimental Center of the School of Civil and Architectural Engineering, and the International Education School. They also held a discussion with representatives of Zimbabwean students studying at our university.
Officials from the Shaanxi Provincial Foreign Affairs Office and relevant university departments attended the events.
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