Delegation of teachers from School of Foreign Languages attends academic activities in Egypt
May 08, 2019
Peking University, May 8, 2019: At the invitation of Cairo University and the American University in Cairo, the delegation of teachers from the School of Foreign Languages, Peking University, participated in the International Symposium on Scientific Exploration and Interdisciplinary Studies held at Cairo University from March 31 to April 3, 2019. The delegation also attended the Chinese-African Higher Education Forum held at the American University in Cairo.
From March 31 to April 1, the Faculty of Arts at Cairo University and the College of Education at the University of Babylon in Iraq jointly hosted the International Symposium on Scientific Exploration and Interdisciplinary Studies. A total of 150 scholars from universities such as Cairo University, Babylon University in Iraq, and Peking University participated in the symposium. The theme of this conference was to explore how to improve higher education and how to conduct interdisciplinary research. Professor Fu Zhiming, deputy dean of Peking University School of Foreign Languages, Professor Lin Fengmin, director of the Arabic Department, Professor Zhang Jiamin, senior professor of the Arabic Department, young scholars Yuan Lin, Lian Chaoqun and Li Haipeng attended the seminar and delivered speeches.
Delegates from Peking University and other institutions
Zhang Jiamin demonstrated the great achievements that China has made since the reform and opening up, particularly stressing the concept “Chinese Dream” proposed by President Xi Jinping. Then, Yuan Lin delivered a speech titled “The Historical Writing and the Construction of the Identity of Ibadism”, in which she talked about one of the important factions of Islam, the Ibadism. According to her speech, the Ibadists used historical writing to build the collective identity, to form their flexible and pragmatic political strategies, and to promote institutionalization. Therefore, Yuan believed that historical writing plays an important role in Ibadism as the only faction of Kharajite that has survived until today.
Later in the symposium, Fu Zhiming introduced how Peking University carried out interdisciplinary studies. He also proposed that nowadays, enhancing the integration of disciplines is one of the possible ways to promote the development of different disciplines; to cooperate with international institutions is another one. Fu Zhiming also introduced the achievements of Peking University's interdisciplinary study of foreign languages and foreign literature.
During their stay in Egypt, the delegation also visited the Confucius Institute at Cairo University and held a discussion with the teachers of the Confucius Institute to conduct in-depth communication on the basis of bilateral cooperation.
The delegation visited the Confucius Institute at Cairo University
From April 2 to 3, the Chinese-African Higher Education Forum was held at the American University in Cairo, a famous university with a history of over 100 years. Dozens of Chinese and African scholars discussed the China-Africa educational cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, the digitization and modernization of African education, the exchange programs for students and teachers from China and Africa, etc. The delegation of Peking University attended the opening ceremony of the forum. Professor Wei Liming, director of the Department of Afro-Asian Languages in the School of Foreign Languages, participated in the forum on behalf of the Center for African Studies at Peking University. She introduced some African research projects carried out by Peking University, which included the programs co-organized by Peking University and African universities in the field of talent cultivation.
In his speech at the forum, Fu Zhiming pointed out that thanks to the modernization and diversification of Chinese universities, more and more African youths choose to study in China. The young students form the bridge of communication between China and Africa in many fields. China-Africa educational and cultural cooperation plays a significant role in enhancing the bilateral strategic cooperation. Fu said that Peking University, as one of the best universities in China, would continue to open its door to aspiring young people from Africa and promoting the communication and cooperation in various fields between China and Africa.
Fu Zhiming
Written by: Li Yangyang
Edited by: Wang Nini, Hu Rong
Source: PKU News (Chinese)
