Addis Ababa University and Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) renewed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on December 3, 2013 for another five years to support educational development and research programs in the areas of language studies and other fields at an event held at the AAU President’s Office on April 25, 2018.

Professor Peng Long, President of Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), appreciated the warm reception organized for his delegation and indicated that the BFSU and the AAU would like to strengthen collaboration in the area of language studies and business and economics.

He also expressed BFSU’s plan to open an Ethiopian Studies Center.

Professor Tasew W/ Hanna, President of Addis Ababa University, welcomed the delegation and briefed them on the history of the AAU.

He further noted that China and Ethiopia have worked together in construction and railway infrastructure projects and asserted that such kind of relationship must be complemented by academic fields.

We also want the Chinese to work with us in rural economy. He assured the delegation that the University would give them full support in their endeavors to open additional Ethiopian language departments at the BFSU.

Jeilu Omer (Ph.D.), Vice President for Academic Affairs of the AAU, explained how useful it was to have opened Amharic and Tigerigna departments at the BFSU three years ago.

He went on to add that the AAU has two third year students from China studying Amharic and Tigerigna languages. He remarked that all these efforts help strengthen diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Professor Ke Jing, Director of the International office of BFSU, noted that the University wants to conduct research and establish an Ethiopian Studies Center in BFSU that will grow into an African Studies Center.

On the occasion, Haftaye G/ Egziabher and Alemu Kassaye (Ph.D.) were present from AAU’s Tigrigna and Amharic Departments.