International Exchange丨The 3rd "Belt and Road" China-Tunisia Cultural Exchange Ambassador Program

The Belt and Road Initiative has brought new opportunities for educational collaboration and development among countries along its route. Following the 2018 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the Tunisian government has placed greater emphasis on cooperation with China across various fields. As a key Belt and Road partner in Africa, Tunisia boasts one of the continent’s leading education systems. The program is supported by the Monastir Municipal Government of Tunisia, hosted by the University of Monastir, and organized by the Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association, it has successfully completed three editions, with more than 300 students and leading teachers from over 30 domestic institutions participating.

From January 16 to 24, 2025, the Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association led a delegation comprising of 27 students and faculty members from six institutions, including Beijing Polytechnic, Shanghai Donghai Vocational & Technical College, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Jinzhou Medical University, Qufu Normal University, and Guangdong Ocean University, to Tunisia. The group embarked on a nine-day journey for the “Belt and Road” International Young Talent Charming North Africa “China-Tunisia” Cultural Exchange Ambassador Program. The group was warmly received by the Monastir Provincial Government, municipal government agencies, as well as local educational institutions. At several large-scale exchange activities, the governor and mayor, along with relevant government officials, university leaders, and faculty and students, were present to support and engage in interactions. The local television stations and other media provided live broadcasts and other related reports of the program.

The program started with a visit to the museum and the science museum. Through listening to the lecturers' explanation, reading the precious historical pictures and stories, and viewing the cultural relics, the group of teachers and students had a preliminary impression of the development of Tunisia from the ancient Carthaginian period to the modern times. Through visits to the Monastir City Hall, meetings with the Mayor and relevant department heads, discussions on sister-city cooperation and educational collaboration, mutual communication and the exchange of gifts, the group deepened their understanding of Tunisian culture and enhanced the friendship between the youth of the two countries.On the same day, the group visited the University of Monastir, where local television stations provided live broadcast of the event.

The itinerary featured diverse activities, including aviation safety knowledge and drills session, film production demonstrations by local art troupes, cultural exchanges, and explorations of Tunisia’s iconic historical sites and Mediterranean landscapes. During the exchange period, the group engaged in friendly sports competitions with Tunisian youth cultural associations, including football, basketball, and table tennis, as well as cultural exchanges in calligraphy, music, and dance. They also experienced the folk customs of the Tunisian "marriage ceremony", tried on traditional Tunisian attire, and immersed themselves in the unique charm of Tunisian-style music.

During their stay in Monastir, the faculty and students visited a local welfare institution for children with disabilities, engaging in interactions with the disabled children and expressed their care and concern for these vulnerable children. The "China Street" cultural event, initiated by the Association, drew enthusiastic participation from local residents. While visiting olive oil processing factory and ceramic production factory, the group gained a profound understanding of the seamless integration of Tunisia's traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. At the Amphitheatre of El Jem in Tunisia, the faculty and students fully appreciated the country's efforts in the preservation of its historical and cultural heritage.

As cultural ambassadors, the faculty and students demonstrated the essence of traditional Chinese culture through cultural exchanges, exhibited civilized etiquette of Chinese academia, and showcased the spiritual ethos of Chinese university communities through various engagements. The graceful dance performance in traditional Chinese ethnic attire provided Tunisian teachers and students with an immersive experience of China's cultural charm.

Through on-site visits to Monastir Institute of Science, National Engineering School of Monastir, Tunisia, and The Higher Institute of Computer Science and Mathematics of the University of Monastir, the group gained substantive insights into the differences in educational management systems and academic program structures between the two nations. At The Tourism School of Monastir, Chinese and Tunisian students jointly prepared traditional desserts, fostering an atmosphere of harmony amid continuous laughter.

At the Museum of Beautiful Arts, Monastir, the faculty and students fully appreciated the unique charm of Tunisian art and culture. They engaged in in-depth discussions with the museum staff on topics such as cultural preservation, art appreciation, and cultural heritage transmission.

The program was executed with comprehensive safety measures, conducted in a cordial atmosphere, and successfully concluded with full satisfaction. Faculty members and students thoroughly immersed themselves in Tunisia's historical heritage, educational system, environmental conservation efforts, and cultural traditions, thereby significantly strengthening mutual understanding and friendship between the youth of both nations. Serving as the organizer of this initiative, the Sino-North Africa Education Innovation Association fully demonstrated its institutional capabilities and professional advantages in facilitating international educational cooperation and exchange. It has established an effective platform for cultural dialogue between the two countries' younger generations, provided substantive opportunities for global engagement, and enhanced participants' cross-cultural communication competencies, effectively cultivating a cohort of cultural ambassadors dedicated to promoting bilateral exchanges.