The Unveiling Ceremony of Shijiazhuang Institute of Railway Technology&EPI Education Group-“Tianyou International College”

From September 18 to 19, 2023, Mr. Kais Mabrouk, Vice Chairman of the Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association, and Mrs. Zhao Yuling, Deputy Secretary-General, accompanied by Mr. Dou Xinshun, President of Shijiazhuang Institute of Railway Technology, and directors Jiang Xixing and Du Zhan, arrived in Tunisia for a two-day exchange visit to University Arabe of Sciences and EPI Education Group.

On the morning of September 18, the delegation visited University Arabe of Sciences for an exchange visit. Mr. Mourad Ben Turkia, President of University Arabe of Sciences, along with deans from the Schools of Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Journalism, and Business, warmly received the delegation.

During the meeting, both parties expressed their intentions for cooperation on the 2+1 joint program in Civil Engineering, short-term faculty and student exchanges, and collaborative research projects. Following the meeting, President Dou Xinshun of Shijiazhuang Institute of Railway Technology engaged in further discussions with President Mourad Ben Turkia on aspects of international cooperation, leading to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Subsequently, President Mourad Ben Turkia extended an invitation to President Dou to attend the 20th-anniversary celebration of University Arabe of Sciences's Gabon branch in June 2024.

On the morning of September 19, Deputy Secretary-General Zhao Yuling, along with President Dou Xinshun and directors Jiang Xixing and Du Zhan, visited  EPI Education Group. They were warmly received by President  Mahdi Mejri, Marwen Ben Refifa，Dean of the Technology and Architecture School, and Director Saoussen Laamiri of the English Language Training Center.

During the meeting, detailed presentations were made on the basic overview, school structure, majors, and international accreditations of both institutions. The two parties had in-depth discussions on the 2+1 overseas branch cooperation program, covering the establishment of the management committee, admission conditions, enrollment numbers, course arrangements, assessment indicators, and more.

Following the meeting, the delegations from both institutions attended the unveiling ceremony of the joint school named "Tianyou International College," a collaboration between Shijiazhuang Institute of Railway Technology and EPI Education Group. The name "Tianyou International College" pays homage to Mr. Jeme Tian You, known as the "Father of China’s Railway". President Dou expressed the commitment to uphold and carry forward the spirit of Zhan Tianyou, emphasizing dedication, excellence, focus, and innovation. The establishment of "Tianyou International College" marks the starting point for Shijiazhuang Institute of Railway Technology, which, in collaboration with Tunisian universities, will explore comprehensive cooperation in areas such as faculty and student exchanges, technical training, joint research, and various cooperative projects. These collaborations aim to contribute to educational exchanges and cooperation between China and Tunisia.

The construction of "Tianyou International College" reflects the strategic layout of the national "the Belt and Road" initiative, the "Double High-levels Plan" and other policy propositions. It represents a significant move in promoting Chinese education internationally, enhancing the global influence and leadership of Chinese education. The successful unveiling ceremony of "Tianyou International College" signifies a crucial breakthrough in educational cooperation between the two parties and stands as an important achievement for Shijiazhuang Institute of Railway Technology in the international education arena.

This exchange activity provides a valuable opportunity for educational cooperation between Shijiazhuang Institute of Railway Technology and various universities in Tunisia. It facilitates a deeper understanding of each other's educational situations, teaching methods, and potential collaborative majors. It aids in exploring new cooperation avenues among institutions, fostering better educational and cultural exchanges between colleges, and contributing to more profound and extensive international education cooperation in the future. The Association will continue to promote international education cooperation between China and North African institutions with professionalism and a positive attitude. It aims to continuously expand sustainable development projects in the education sector, strengthen cooperation and exchanges with international institutions, and contribute to enhancing the international influence of participating colleges.