On 27 November, H.E. Mr. Demeke Mekonnen Hassen, Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia led an official delegation to visit Tongji University. Prof. Jiang Bo, Vice President of Tongji University welcomed the visit of delegation. They recalled the close friendship between China and Ethiopia, reviewed the cooperation between Tongji University and Ethiopia in the field of education, scientific research, urban planning and engineering and international cooperation and expected further collaboration in the days to come.

Ethiopia’s State Minister H.E. Desta Tesfaw Mebratu, Director Mr. Kassa Gebre Yohannes Gebre Michael and Mr. Zemede Tefera Wolde Giorgis, Consul-General in Shanghai Mr. Johannes Woldegiorgis, Dean of the College of Architecture and Urban Planning Prof. Li Zhenyu, Vice Dean of UNEP-Tongji IESD Dr. Wang Xin, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Office, Ms.Yan Aihua attended the meeting and presented the cooperation with Ethiopia. IESD Ph.D candidate Mr. Binyam, on behalf of Ethiopia student in Tongji, shared his study experience in China.

Dr. Wang Xin, on behalf of IESD, made a briefing report on IESD’s cooperation with Ethiopian partners in terms of education, research and networking. IESD has enrolled 6 Ethiopian students since 2006, among whom 3 students (2 masters and 1 Ph.D) are now studying in IESD. Meanwhile, since 2008, with the support of Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), IESD led the project “MoST-UNEP-Africa Projects, Sub-Project: Development and Demonstration of New Technologies for Safe Water Supply in African Countries”. Addis Ababa University has actively participated in the project and co-established a demonstration site on the water treatment in Ethiopia. In addition, more than 5 Ethiopia universities have joined the Global Universities Partnership on Environment and Sustainability (GUPES), which is chaired by Tongji University.

After the bilateral meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister visited the Archi-neering Design Exhibition.