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DUT and China Strengthen Partnership Through Cultural Networking

DUT and China Strengthen Partnership Through Cultural Networking

Striving to forge international, academic and cultural relationships with various countries is one of the goals of the Durban University of Technology. Hosting international academics with the view of forming long-term partnerships was the main reason behind Vice -Chancellor and Principal Prof. Ahmed Bawa and DUT management hosting the Vice-Governor, Madam Li Hong from the Fujian Province in China and various other Chinese dignitaries at the Steve Biko Campus in Durban recently.

Mr Li Qiang-Deputy Secretary General of Fujian Provincial People’s Government,Madam Zhu Shufang-Director General of Fujian Provincial Commission of Health and Family Planning, Mr Qi Jianhua-Deputy Director General of Fujian Provincial Culture Department and Mr Li Lin, an interpreter from the Foreign Affairs Office of Fujian People’s Government and Ms Lin Pingping-Secretary of the Fujian Provincial Government Office, were present at the meeting.

The meeting was made possible by the recently established DUT Confucius institute and the International Education and partnerships(IEP), which acts as a direct link between South Africa and China, particularly the Fujian Province in terms of academics and culture.On 27 March 2013, Prof Bawa signed an agreement that saw DUT becoming the first institution in KwaZulu- Natal to offer Mandarin courses to staff members, students and locals.
“We are very proud of our relationship with the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University and we think that there will be lots of exchanges between our universities,” said Prof Bawa.

Final Art Btech student Bongani Khanyile, was one of the students at the Confucius Institute who was recently awarded the prestigious Shanghai Summer School Scholarship 2014. Bongani received the scholarship for his excellent academic results as well as his exquisite artistic skills after he drew an impressive portrait of the Confucius philosopher for the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University.

DUT’s IEP also plays a vital role in introducing and promoting DUT to the world as a reputable institution and to encourage internationalisation by highlighting various activities in all departments to international and potential partners.

Dr Lavern Samuels from the IEP expressed his content with the meeting with the Chinese delegation. “We looking forward to having more academic mobility partnerships, teachings and research,” he said.

– Philiswa Xulu

Pictured: The Chinese delegation with Prof Bawa at the meeting.

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