Africa -China Review Africa -China Cooperation and Transformation
Published: May 13,2024
By Staff writer
UR’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance, Francoise Tengeraand Zhao Jinsong, Associate Director, IIAS, Tsinghua University, launching parternship in Kigali on Thursday, May 9. photos by Craish Bahizi
China’s Tsinghua University and the University of Rwanda launched institutional cooperation in research and other academic areas. Tsinghua University is ranked No. 1 in China, the whole of Asia-Oceania region and emerging countries according to the Times Higher Education, with its industry income, research, and teaching performance indicator placed at 1st, 4th and 9th respectively in the world.
Tsinghua University established a field station for international and area studies at the University ofRwanda (UR) and the station falls under Tsinghua’s Institute for International and Area Studies (IIAS), an independent research institute of the university.
Francoise Kayitare Tengera, UR’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance, said the collaboration between the two institutions will take mutual business to higher levels. “It is not arbitrary that Tsinghua University sought that this IIAS station be hosted within the University of Rwanda. Rather, it is a deliberate decision which came from the good will for establishing strong ties and collaboration between our two sister institutions. This will, with no doubt, take our mutual business to higher levels,” she pointed out.
The Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda, His Excellency, Wang Xuekun, who presided over the launch of the partnership, said that the IIAS station at UR is the only Tsinghua University field station in Africa.
“It represents a milestone in academic exchanges and cooperation between China and Rwanda. I believe this will greatly enhance mutual understanding of our two counties, and provide valuable reference for policymakers. It will also help the people of the two countries to know each other better, thus laying a foundation for their exchanges and friendship,” he noted.
Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda, Wang Xuekun, speaking at the launch of a field station for international and area studies at the University of Rwanda
Commenting on the bilateral relations between China and Rwanda, Ambassador Wand Xuekun said that, Rwanda is of importance to China not only academically.
“As a matter of fact, over the past 53 years since 1971, our two countries have built a fully-fledged relationship. It’s a relationship based on similar historical experience of colonization and exploitation by Western powers. It’s a relationship motivated by shared aspirations for prosperity of our countries and welfare of our peoples,” ambassador Wang noted.
Zhao Jinsong, Associate Director of IIAS at Tsinghua University, highlighted that ‘Area Studies’ is ascending to prominence as a top-tier academic discipline in China’s education system.
“Our students are spread across diverse regions from Eurasia to the Caribbean, and from Southeast Asia to Sub-Saharan Africa, mastering everything from law and economics to history and literature. In today’s interconnected world, we’re all about understanding different cultures and tackling the big issues that matter to local communities,” he said.
Assistant Director Dr Yang Chongsheng, an Assistant Professor at the IIAS, said Tsinghua University said that he was looking forward to joint collaboration in enhancing research capabilities, hosting academic conferences, as well as inviting scholars from various parts of the world.
“We plan to host conferences and discussions on regional affairs and topics of mutual concern as residents of this region. Secondly, we aim to conduct disciplinary and methodological training workshops to enhance the academic research capabilities of our members. Thirdly, we intend to invite scholars from various countries to Kigali to engage in discussions on topics of their interests, utilising Kigali as a mutual venue,” he noted.
that conducts studies of countries across the globe, with a particular emphasis on the history and culture, domestic and foreign affairs, as well as social development of developing countries.
Speaking at its launch, Zhao Jinsong, Associate Director of IIAS at Tsinghua University, highlighted that ‘Area Studies’ is ascending to prominence as a top-tier academic discipline in China’s education system.
“Our students are spread across diverse regions from Eurasia to the Caribbean, and from Southeast Asia to Sub-Saharan Africa, mastering everything from law and economics to history and literature. In today’s interconnected world, we’re all about understanding different cultures and tackling the big issues that matter to local communities,” he said.
UR officials along with their Tsinghua counterparts after the launch of the station. Photo by Craish Bahizi
The IIAS seeks to advance foundational area studies on six regions: Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, South Asia, Eurasia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and West Asia and North Africa, encouraging researchers to conduct foundational and country-specific or region-specific research from the perspective of political science, economics, sociology, public administration, history, or law, or from an interdisciplinary perspective.
