World Conference on Higher Education was held by UNESCO in Paris from July 5th to 8th. Its theme was “New dynamic force for the social reform and the developing higher education and researches”. It focused on the higher education in Africa. Zhou Ji, Minister of Education, headed a delegation of China to attend the conference. People of UNESCO Teacher Education Chairs, President Yu Lizhong, president assistant Ren Youqun, and director of International Teacher Education Centre Zhou Nanzhao, were all invited here.
Zhou Ji made a keynote speech titled “Higher Education for a Sustainable Future” on the opening ceremony, introducing the latest information of our higher education, which was of significance for the development of higher education in China and even the world. He pointed out that Chinese government determined to adhering to UNESCO’ s policy for the development of higher education in Africa, declaring that we would choose 20 first-class universities in China to build cooperative partnership with their counterparts in Africa. Meanwhile, he proposed to establish multi-lingual study networks to help people in Africa stride over language obstacles and to promote the advancement of social civilization.
President Yu Lizhong, the only Chinese president present, made a speech titled “Development of Academic Subjects in High Level Normal Univeristy”, introducing East China Normal University, a member of “Project 211” and “Project 985”, constructive projects for funding world-class universities in the 21st century. He told that ECNU put forward the strategy of internationalization recent years, and cooperated with ENS Group in France for almost 10 years. He also expressed that ECNU would make great effort to extend cooperation with universities in Africa.
During the conference, President Yu Lizhong accompanied Zhou Ji to meet Ms. Valérie Pécresse, minister of French Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology. President Yu also met assistant chief secretary of UNESCO department of Social Science Pierre Sane, leader of Education department George Haddad, Director of Teacher Education Division Komlavi Seddoh, Director of Teaching Chair Division Sonia Bahri, and Director of Life-long Education Division Adama Ouane. Moreover, as one of the UNESCO Teacher Education Chairs, he had the exclusive interview by journalists of headquarter of UNESCO.
Yu also met many diplomats, including Ms. Zhu Xiaoyu in China Embassy to France and Ms Shi Shuyun, Chinese representative in UNESCO delegation.
In the conference, Yu had a bilateral meeting with President Brenda Gourley of Open University in Britain, further exploring mutual interest of cooperation. And the 2 parties reached common ground on promoting the cooperation on distance education. What’s more, Yu led our delegation to discuss with many officials and presidents all over the world.
President Yu Lizhong accompanied Zhou Ji to meet Ms. Valérie Pécresse, minister of French Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology
Yu Lizhong interviewed by journalists from headquarter of UNESCO
Yu Lizhong met Mr. Komlavi Seddoh, director of UNESCO Division of Teacher Education
