On the morning of September 7, 2026, a high-level delegation from the Ethiopian Federal Parliament visited the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech). The delegation was led by Hon. Dr. Negeri Lencho Bultum, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Human Resource Development, Labour and Technology Affairs. They were welcomed by Prof. Qikun XUE, President of SUSTech, and Prof. Li JIN, Vice President for Global Strategies. Representatives from the National People’s Congress, the Guangdong Provincial People’s Congress, and the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Congress attended the meeting. Heads and representatives from the Graduate School, SUSTech Global, and the IIOE Operations Centre at UNESCO-ICHEI also participated in the discussions.

Prof. Qikun XUE extended a cordial welcome to the delegation. He recalled the longstanding partnership between SUSTech and Ethiopian higher education institutions, highlighting their collaboration in student exchange, faculty mobility, and capacity-building programs. He noted that such engagement reflects the shared commitment of both sides to advancing educational and technological development, and expressed SUSTech’s readiness to further strengthen ties in talent cultivation, joint research, and industry-university innovation, drawing on Shenzhen’s vibrant ecosystem of technology and enterprise.

Hon. Dr. Negeri Lencho Bultum expressed his appreciation for SUSTech’s development as a young university. He noted that education is a high priority for Ethiopia, and that his country places great emphasis on science and technology, particularly in light of its large youth population. He observed that Ethiopian universities have already established collaboration with Chinese institutions, and expressed interest in further expanding educational exchanges with SUSTech. He also acknowledged the value of English‑medium programs in facilitating international academic mobility.

Prof. Li JIN gave an overview of SUSTech, covering its academic structure, research focus, and international faculty composition. He also briefed the delegation on the university’s global partnerships and its engagement in international education. In addition, he introduced the work of the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) under UNESCO-ICHEI, which supports digital transformation in higher education across developing countries.

During the open discussion, both sides engaged in productive exchanges on student mobility, joint research programs, and ways to broaden institutional collaboration. They explored opportunities for academic cooperation across a range of disciplines, and agreed to maintain close communication to translate shared interests into concrete action.