UniAbuja one of the best in Africa, says Chinese envoy

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, on Friday described University of Abuja (UniAbuja) as one of the best universities in Africa.

The envoy stated this when he led students from Tsinghua University’s School of Journalism and Communications, China to UniAbuja as part of moves to strengthen the student exchange programme between the two institutions.

“We have had extensive cooperation between universities in Nigeria and China to promote cultural integration. The University of Abuja is one of the best in this continent. Tsinghua University is also one of the best universities in China. So, we look forward to having a productive working relationship with the two,” Dunhai said.

The ambassador expressed hope for greater collaboration between the university.

Welcoming the delegation, the Vice-Chancellor of UniAbuja, Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi, expressed delight at the visit, assuring the delegation of the University’s full cooperation.

She described the University of Abuja as a close partner of China, stressing its long-standing relationship with the country.

Maikudi also disclosed plans by the University to set up a Confucius Institute on campus, noting that it’s students were already studying Mandarin courses.

“I believe our Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, and Department of Political Science will be able to establish stronger academic relationships with Chinese institutions,” she said.

Earlier, head of the department of Political Science and an expert on China-Africa relations, Dr Sherif Ghali Ibrahim, said the exchange programme between the two universities would enhance mutual cultural understanding.

The Chinese delegation was comprised of the dean, deputy dean of the Faculty of Media Communication of the Tsinghua University, two faculty members and 17 PhD students.

They also participated in the seminar on “Mutual Learning between Chinese and Nigeria’s Civilizations” at the Faculty of Communications and Media Studies, UofA, which according to President Xi of China, is the beacon of a peaceful international system for people to maintain mutual learning among civilisations and develop a spirit of tolerance to make the world a better place.