The China Association of Higher Education (CAHE) and the Association of African Universities (AAU) held the unveiling ceremony of the Chinese Secretariat of the China-Africa Consortium of Universities Exchange Mechanism at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) on Aug 31, 2023.

The ceremony was attended by Du Yubo, president of CAHE; Zhang Daliang, vice president of CAHE; Prof. O. B. Oyewole, secretary-general of the AAU; Wang Dinghua, secretary of the CPC BFSU committee; Yang Dan, president of BFSU and deputy secretary of the CPC BFSU committee; and Hao Qingjie, deputy secretary-general of CAHE. They collectively unveiled the plaque for the Secretariat. 

In his address, Du noted that the unveiling of the Chinese Secretariat symbolizes a significant opportunity for cooperation between China and Africa in higher education. He said the two sides should strengthen the foundation of collaboration and achieve a new breakthrough in Sino-African university exchanges, enhancing top-level planning, gathering advantageous resources in the higher education sectors of both China and Africa, accurately aligning with the needs of universities, and fostering collaboration within industrial clusters. Du said they should reinforce cultural exchanges, drive the new development of academic research institutions in Sino-African relations, facilitating various forms of cooperation between academic research institutions, think tanks, and universities, including research projects, academic exchanges, and publication of works. Also, the two sides should enhance capacity building and construct a new framework for cooperative talent development between China and Africa, said Du.

Prof. Oyewole introduced the establishment process of the China-Africa Consortium of Universities Exchange Mechanism and the positioning and mission of the Association of African Universities. He said he is confident that Sino-African universities will fully utilize the role of the exchange mechanism, promoting high-quality development in educational exchanges and cooperation between China and Africa. He also looked forward to further communication and cooperation between AAU and BFSU.

In his speech, Yang pointed out that the establishment of the Chinese Secretariat of the exchange mechanism at BFSU is an honor for the university. He emphasized that BFSU will further leverage its advantage in foreign languages, explore disciplinary resources in the three domains of global languages, cultures, and governance, contribute to the implementation of the Secretariat's work, and actively contribute to the construction of a closer China-Africa community of shared future.

To create a platform for academic exchanges among universities in China and African countries and promote long-term stable cooperation and development, CAHE established an Institute for the Exchange Mechanism, and Du presented the institute with a plaque from its host institution, Zhejiang Normal University.

In November 2022, CAHE and AAU signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a cooperative partnership, and the two sides decided to establish the China-Africa Consortium of Universities Exchange Mechanism. Under the guidance of the Ministry of Education and CAHE, the Chinese Secretariat will collaborate with numerous domestic universities and African research institutions to engage in various inter-school exchange activities. Additionally, they will regularly compile and release educational overviews, policy briefs, and information briefs on Sino-African higher education cooperation for both China and African countries. BFSU will also play a platform role in the China-Africa 100 Universities Cooperation Program, closely cooperating with sister universities, deepening friendly exchanges between Chinese and African universities, and serving China's major diplomatic strategy towards Africa.