Guo Rong, President of Yangzhou University

Yang zhou University (YZU) began sending its faculty to African countries as early as the 1970s. Now, under the "20+20 Cooperation Project among China-Africa Universities," YZU has conducted exchanges with over 20 African universities. Prof. Guo Rong, YZU's President spoke to ChinAfrica about the university's work with African universities and its future plans. Edited excerpts follow:

CHINAFRICA: What kind of exchange is YZU involved in with African universities and research institutions?

As early as the 1970s, YZU sent many experts and professors to African countries for aid work. The most well known of these is Professor Ling Qihong, an expert in rice breeding from [our] College of Agriculture, who worked at the Bordeaux Agricultural Experiment Center in Guinea for five years. He later served as the Vice Governor of Jiangsu Province. In 2008, YZU hosted the "China-Arab (10+1) Higher EducationCooperation Symposium." At the conference, YZU signed a Memorandum of Understanding with 14 Arabic universities and established partnerships in faculty and student exchange to facilitate the sharing of teaching resources and joint research. Under the "20+20 Cooperation Project among China-Africa Universities," launched by the Ministry of Education in 2010, YZU has established new relations with 18 African universities, and conducted cooperationin scientific research and training programs for faculty and postgraduate students.

What programs have been launched between your school and the University of Khartoum (UOFK) in Sudan under the"20+20 Cooperation Project among China-Africa Universities"?

After our educational cooperation was initiated in 2010, we launched the "YZU -KU High Level Talents Cultivating and Exchange Program." In the same year, we organized the "Training Program for Sudanese Agricultural College Teachers," the "Training Program for Sudanese University Management Staff," and launched a joint scientific research program on breeding new oil crops and developing higher-yielding agronomic techniques. Last year, we organized two scientific-research training programs in molecular biology, as well as data processing and statistical analysis. Currently many joint research projects are being carried out smoothly, and we plan to launch new programs soon.

What lessons have you drawn from your cooperation with African counterparts?

Based on our cooperation and experience with African universities over the past years we have developed a smooth system to develop and implement these programs. First, find the school's important and well developed subjects and develop quality joint programs. Second, start cooperating with one major African university before expanding the program to other universities. Thirdly we have found it is very important to set up a team familiar with African affairs, which makes cooperation with our African counterparts more effective and sustainable.

What are your plans for YZU and UOFK this year?

Since 2012 marks the last year of the three-year "YZU -KU HighLevel Talents Cultivating and Exchange Program," we plan to carry out at least eight substantive cooperation projects. In addition to our regular cooperation programs, we have two other programs planned. First, we plan to set up a joint agriculturalresearch and exchange center, and hold the inaugural "Sino-Sudan Agricultural Research Cooperation Seminar." Second, the Humanities and Social Sciences Department plans to organize resources from different colleges and set up our African Studies Institute. Once opened, the department plans to invite Sudanese experts to join their research programs.

How many African students are currently at YZU? Do you offer scholarships?

We started to admit foreign students in 1986. Over the past five years, 43 African students have participated in our undergraduate, graduate andpost-doctoral programs. They enjoy financial support from the Chinese Government, Jiangsu Provincial Government and YZU. It's also worth mentioning that since 2010, we have offered an annual scholarship of about 1million yuan ($157,978) for students from developing countries.Currently, 21 African students, from nine Africancountries, are studying on campus.

One distinguished student among them is Dr. Hessin Musa Tahir Hassan, a young Sudanese researcher. After getting his doctoral degree in genetic engineering at YZU, he continuedwith post-doctoral research in veterinary science. In 2009, he successfully finished his research, and the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology awarded him with equipment valued 150,000 yuan (around $24,000) for his excellent academic performance.

Introduction to YZU

> YZU is a comprehensive university located in Jiangsu Province in east China. As one of the largest universities in the most economically prosperous areas of the country, YZU has strived to provide quality education to students since 1902. Today, YZU offers 107 undergraduate programs, 235 master's programs and 68 doctoral programs in 27 schools, most of which are open to overseas students. Among the 50,000 students studying on YZU's eight campuses, 800 are international students from over 30 countries.Through its long history of international exchange and cooperation, YZU hasestablished close links and academic relations with research and higher education institutions in over 30 countries. African countries are strongly represented among them.