From April 17th to 18th, Prof. Ken Kamoche, President of Africa Research Group, University of Nottingham, paid a visit to GDUFS, escorted by Prof. Liu Jisen, Executive President of Institute for African Studies (IAS), Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS).
In the afternoon on April 17th, Prof. Liu had one-hour discussion with Prof. Ken. Two issues were discussed. One was the strategic cooperation framework agreement between Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and University of Nottingham. They had an exhausted discussion about the cooperation in African research, declaration of International cooperation projects, holding of International academic conferences on African studies, as well as exchange of researchers and students. Professors reached an agreement on the cooperation above mentioned and signed the agreement. The other issue discussed was about the establishment of International Association for African Studies Initiative. Prof. Ken really appreciated the initiative and agreed to join it.
After the discussion, Prof. Ken delivered a speech, whose topic is Prospective of China-Africa Economic and Trade Relation. Prof. Ken shared experience with researchers and postgraduates of IAS in China-Africa economic and trade cooperation, especially in tourism management. He took his country Kenya for example.
In the Q&A session, discussions were conducted on the opportunities and risks of Chinese enterprises’ investing in Africa, the marketization of the Mongolian Railway, the integration of Kenya’s economic planning and China’s "The Belt and Road Initiative", etc.
In the morning on April 18th, Prof. Liu Jisen accompanied Prof. Ken to visit Sanshui campus of Guangdong University of Finance and Economics. They were warmly welcomed by Prof. Huang Qing’an and Prof. Peng Leiqing, Dean and Executive President of International Business School respectively.
Prof. Huang took Prof. Ken and Prof. Liu to visit the library and showed the layout model of Sanshui campus of Guangdong University of Finance and Economics with detailed introduction.
Later, Prof. Ken gave a speech on China-Africa Human Resources Development Cooperation to teachers and students of International Business School, and Prof. Liu took the opportunity to introduce the work of IAS.
Prof. Liu witnessed the signing of strategic cooperation framework agreement between International Business School of Guangdong University of Finance and Economics and Africa Research Group of University of Nottingham.
In the afternoon on April 18th, Prof. Liu took Prof. Ken to visit Africa+ Bar where displays and discussions about African culture were held. Prof. Ken thought highly of the idea of Africa+ Bar as well as CAEC Week which was co-hosted by IAS of GDUEFS, AIAT and China-Africa Cultural Exchange Center. Prof. Ken showed great interests in CAEC Week. He thought it was of great significance to the promotion of China-Africa exchange in economic, trade and culture. Prof. Ken also felt pity for his absence of the activity due to his tight schedule. He hoped that he could have a deeper academic exchange with IAS next year.
Thank Prof. Huang Qing’an, Dean of International Business School, Guandong University of Finance and Economics for his recommendation of Prof. Ken. Without Prof. Huang, there couldn’t have been such a great academic exchange.
