Recently, Dr. Shawn Chen, President of the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) and Founder and Chairman of Sias University, embarked on a working visit to Africa, achieving fruitful cooperation results. Representatives of Sias Office of International Affairs accompanied Dr. Chen on the visit.

On June 10, Dr. Chen visited the University of Mauritius and held working talks with its President, Sanjeev Sobhee, and the university leadership. The two sides reached multiple agreements in areas such as faculty and student exchanges, joint research, and curriculum co-construction, and signed an inter-university cooperation agreement. Dr. Chen stated that this cooperation will build a new bridge for higher education exchanges between China and Mauritius, supporting the "Belt and Road" education initiative. As a renowned institution in the Indian Ocean region, the University of Mauritius will promote complementary advantages and collaborative development in distinctive disciplines between the two universities through this cooperation.

From June 11 to 13, Dr. Chen traveled to Johannesburg, South Africa, to attend the IAUP biannual meeting. At the forum on "Innovation in Higher Education," Dr. Chen delivered a keynote speech as a special guest, sharing Sias's successful experiences in digital transformation and technological innovation. He highlighted Sias's innovative practices in smart campus construction and AI education applications, which sparked widespread interest and lively discussions among participants.

During the conference, Dr. Chen, on behalf of Sias University, signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the Namibia University of Science and Technology, KCA University in Kenya, and the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. These agreements will primarily advance academic exchanges and research cooperation in fields such as information technology, digital science, and sustainable development.

As the IAUP President, Dr. Chen also chaired the Council and Executive Committee meetings, focusing on the preparations for the IAUP 60th Anniversary Celebration to be held in Seoul, South Korea, in October, 2025, as well as the Association's strategic development plan for the next three years. At the opening ceremony on the 12th, Dr. Chen emphasized that in the face of new global challenges, universities should serve as bridges to promote mutual learning and exchanges among different civilizations through educational cooperation. He extended a special invitation to global university leaders to participate in the upcoming 60th Anniversary Celebration of the IAUP in Seoul, jointly exploring the future direction of higher education.

This visit to Africa marks Dr. Chen's first trip to the region since assuming the IAUP presidency, underscoring the Association's commitment to strengthening international cooperation in African higher education. As an important member unit of IAUP, Sias has established cooperative relationships with over 300 universities in more than 70 countries and regions in recent years, and this signing further expands Sias's cooperation network in Africa.