Prof. Zhou Jialun led a Tongji Delegation to visit Ethiopia, Kenya and South Africa at the invitation of the African Union, the University of Addis Ababa, UNEP, UN-Habitat and the University of Cape Town.

During the visit to Ethiopia, the Delegation visited the on-going construction project of AU Conference Center. It was designed by Tongji and donated by P.R.C. An on-site working meeting was then held by Prof. Zhou with representatives from Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia and China Construction Eighth Engineering Division (CCEED).

The Delegation visited the University of Addis Ababa and met with Vice President Prof. Jeilu Oumer. Both parties signed an MOU and agreed to gradually expand cooperation to a comprehensive one starting from the water treatment program organized by IESD.

Prof. Zhou exchanged views with Mr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of AUC on issues including project progress, cooperation expansion and African student sponsoring project. He also met Mr. Wei Hongtian, the Chief Counselor of Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia.

In the visit to Kenya, the Delegation met Mr. Achim Steiner, Undersecretary General of UN and Executive Director of UNEP in the United Nations Office at Nairobi. Both sides agreed to advance the multi-channel and comprehensive cooperation.

The Delegation then met Dr. Joan Clos, Undersecretary General of UN and Executive Director of UN-Habitat. Both parties agreed to sign an MOU as soon as possible for joint research on urbanization progress in China and for setting up a resident office of UN-Habitat in Tongji University to promote multilateral cooperation between relevant majors, schools and UN-Habitat.

During the visit to South Africa, the Delegation visited University of Cape Town and met Vice Chancellor, Prof. Thandabantu Nhlapo. Both sides reached agreements on issues including faculty and students’ exchange, research cooperation and co-hosting academic conferences and cooperation programs.