The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, has unveiled plans to establish a Chinese Language School that will serve as a hub for language and cultural exchange in Ogun State and beyond.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, disclosed this during the visit of the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Ms. Yan Yuqing, to the institution’s Alabata campus.
Kehinde, in a statement on Monday, said the proposed hub would further consolidate FUNAAB’s long-standing partnership with China in agriculture, trade, culture, and education.
He said, “To further consolidate on the mutual relationship with the Republic of China, the university also aspires to establish a Chinese Language School to serve as a hub for language and cultural exchange for Ogun State and beyond.”
The VC commended the Asian country for its development, innovation, and hospitality, while reaffirming the university’s readiness to explore fresh avenues of collaboration to advance academic excellence, cultural understanding, and socio-economic growth.
In her remarks, the Chinese Consul General lauded FUNAAB’s serene environment, vast land resources, and agricultural potential.
She pledged to strengthen linkages between the university and agricultural institutions in China, support research collaborations, facilitate seminars in Beijing and other cities, and enhance laboratory connections.
Yuqing also reaffirmed commitment to the Chinese Training Centre at FUNAAB, designed to promote Chinese language, culture, and traditional medicine, while announcing plans to extend a charity programme in Ogun State to benefit low-income students and staff.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olukayode Akinyemi, described Yuqing as “an Amazon” and a woman of integrity, recalling how she promptly fulfilled four promises within a month.
He commended China’s contributions to global development and listed potential areas of collaboration, including green and solar energy, joint degree programmes, staff development, engineering, medicine, and student exchanges.
Also speaking, a researcher with the China-Africa Economic and Trade Promotion Council, Mr. Li Zhensheng, highlighted six priority areas for collaboration with FUNAAB, including food security, manufacturing, mineral resource development, oil and gas refining, trade services, and education.
He further proposed linking FUNAAB’s clinic with Chinese medical practitioners and collaborating on mushroom cultivation and medicinal research.
The visit concluded with a tour of the university’s facilities, including the 3MW Hybrid Solar Station, the Greenhouse, and the Central Laboratories at the Centre of Excellence in Agricultural Development and Sustainable Environment.
Dignitaries at the meeting included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Olawale Dairo; Registrar, Dr. Titus Adeniyi; Bursar, Mr. Olukayode Osinuga; China-FUNAAB Desk Officer, Prof. Lawrence Egbeyale; and the Germany-FUNAAB Desk Officer, Prof. Olufemi Ojo, among others.
Yuqing was accompanied by the Director of Bilateral Relations of the Chinese Consul, Mr. Xu Fan; Protocol Officer, Mr. Haa Yihe; and Miss Su Ying.
