Zheng Chengjun, vice-president of Beijing International Studies University (BISU), visited Kenya and Peru from May 25 to 31, aiming to expand Sino-African and Sino-Latin American educational cooperation.

During the visit, BISU signed several exchange and cooperation agreements with top universities in both countries.

Zheng (left) and Ayub N. Gitau sign an inter-university cooperation agreement.

At University of Nairobi, Zheng and his delegation engaged in in-depth discussions with Vice-Chancellor Ayub N. Gitau on the development of the Swahili language program. Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in curriculum development, faculty exchange, student exchange, and textbook development to lay a solid foundation for the program.

The delegation also promoted English-taught programs and "Chinese+" short- and long-term exchange programs. An inter-university cooperation agreement was signed.

At Kenya Utalii College, Zheng and Principal Mark R. Ogendi reached a cooperation intention on "Chinese + Tourism" talent training, short-term training, and faculty exchange. Both sides recognized the significant potential for educational and cultural tourism cooperation between the two countries. The signed inter-university cooperation agreement laid a solid foundation for Sino-Kenyan cultural and tourism cooperation.

At Kenyatta University, Zheng held talks with the chancellor's representative David Minja, discussing Swahili language faculty exchange, textbook development, and regional studies. The delegation also visited the Confucius Institute at Kenyatta University and held discussions on its development.

During their stay in Kenya, the BISU delegation also met with Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan to report on the progress of cooperation with Kenyan universities and seek guidance for strengthening educational and cultural tourism cooperation.

At the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, the delegation held in-depth exchanges with Alberto Ferrand, head of the university's International Office. Discussions focused on student exchanges, faculty visits, joint graduate training, and collaborative research. Both sides agreed on the broad prospects for cooperation and reached an intention to sign cooperation framework agreements.

At Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Zheng and President Jorge Talavera reviewed over a decade of practical cooperation, including student exchanges and joint research center development. Agreements were renewed to continue promoting regular exchanges and cooperation.

Zheng (left) and Segundo Felix Romero Revilla pose for a photo.

At Ricardo Palma University, Zheng and its President Segundo Felix Romero Revilla discussed student exchanges, faculty visits, and research cooperation in Spanish and finance-Spanish programs. A cooperation framework agreement was signed. The delegation also discussed specific cooperation in "Chinese + Tourism" talent training with the university's Confucius Institute.

Coinciding with the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Africa and the "China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges," as well as the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Peru, this visit has enhanced BISU's cooperation with African and Latin American countries.