Vice President Xu Xiaodong of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) led a delegation to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates from Oct 5 to 12. The visit included participation in the World Academic Summit 2025, meetings with Chinese embassies in Egypt and the UAE, and visits to Chinese enterprises.

At the National Research Center of Egypt, Xu met with Chairman Mamdouh Moawad Ali and Samir Kamel Mohamed, head of the center’s department of cellulose and paper, where discussions centered on establishing joint laboratories and expanding interdisciplinary collaborations. Mamdouh Moawad Ali expressed interest in creating a multilateral research cooperation platform linking China and Africa with HUST.

At the Egyptian Chinese University, Xu met with Chairperson and Founder Karima Abdelkareem, President Rasha El-Kholy, and Dean of Engineering and Technology Mohamed Talaat. Both parties signed a memorandum of understanding to foster university-level cooperation and an agreement to establish a joint research institute focused on digital governance.

At King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Xu met with Vice President Pierre Magistretti, Gianluca Setti, dean of the School of Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering, and Chak K. Chan, dean of the School of Physical Science and Engineering, to discuss deepening scientific collaboration and building joint laboratories.

At Abu Dhabi University, Xu met with Provost Barry O’Mahony, Vice President Hamad Odhabi, and Deputy Provost Sherine Farouk to sign a memorandum of inter-university cooperation.

Xu and the HUST delegation attended sessions and seminars at the THE World Academic Summit 2025, sharing HUST’s experiences in promoting university-industry-government collaboration, developing the National Graduate College for Engineers Program, advancing Sino-foreign cooperative education, and exploring cross-border education initiatives.

The delegation also met with academic leaders from international universities, including Provost Vlado Perkovic of the University of New South Wales, Vice President Allan Pacey from the University of Manchester, and President John Chi-Kin Lee of the Education University of Hong Kong, to exchange ideas and deepen practical collaboration and academic partnerships.