On November 5th, Yang Zhenbin, Secretary of the Communist Party of China of Jilin University, met with a group from the Republic of Sierra Leone which included Brima Patrick Kapuwa，the international student alumni of the School of International and Public Affairs and the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the African Union( Deputy ministerial officials ). Huang Lihua, deputy director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Jilin Province, Bian Tie, vice president of Jilin University, and relevant persons in charge of the Alumni Liaison and Education Fund Management Office, the School of International Education, and the School of International and Public Affairs accompanied the meeting.
During the meeting, Ambassador Kapuwa expressed his deep gratitude to his alma mater. Secretary Yang Zhenbin also expressed warm congratulations on the achievements of the ambassador on behalf of the Jilin University, and fully affirmed the ability of the School of International and Public Affairs to train talents. And he pointed out that on the fertile soil of education of Jilin University, more classic talents with international vision and international competitiveness will be cultivated.
In the morning, Ambassador Kapuwa held a dialogue with young faculty members and students of SIPA. Yang Min, the Chair of SIPA council, extended a warm welcome to Ambassador Kapuwa’s homecoming visit after seven years. He stressed that Jilin University and SIPA are always the ambassador’s second home. In the seven years after the ambassador graduated, SIPA had established a relatively mature talent training system from undergraduate and master's degrees of Chinese students in diplomacy to master's and doctoral degrees of foreign students in international relations, and various training projects and mechanisms of our school had also entered a sound track. The outstanding achievements of Ambassador also proved the success of SIPA's training, which will become a powerful motivation for SIPA's teachers and students to continue their efforts and achieve excellent results. Yang Min sincerely invites the ambassador to join the construction of alumni network of SIPA and became a permanent member of SIPA. At the same time, it can further promote SIPA to establish closer ties with African and Sierra Leone counterparts in academic and cultural exchanges.
Yan Zhen, director of the public diplomacy teaching and research office of SIPA, delivered a speech on behalf of Dean Xiao Xi. He presented Dean Xiao Xi’ handwritten letter. On behalf of the dean, he extended a warm welcome to Kapuwa’s return and said that Jilin University and the School of International and Public Affairs will always be his home. Dean Xiao Xi sincerely wished the ambassador a happy and memorable stay at SIPA. After that, Dr. Myungsik Ham and Wang Li, as the representatives of faculty, delivered welcome speech respectively. They recalled the ambassador’s study years at Jilin University. They remarked and praised that ambassador Kapuwa’s achievements also made everyone be more confident in the school’s training philosophy and system.
Ambassador Kapuwa delivered an impromptu speech. First of all, the ambassador expressed his gratitude to all the leaders and teachers of SIPA for their concern, and fondly recalled the six years spent in Jilin University. Studying at SIPA not only cultivated his professionalism and skills in the international affairs and diplomatic arena, but also became an important basis for him to understand Chinese society, cultivate insight into the relations between China and Africa, especially that between China and the Republic of Sierra Leone. Ambassador pointed out that China's development over the past 70 years has extraordinary significance for the development of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Africa. Looking to the future, cooperation with China will have a huge impact on the development of Africa. Africa is still facing many problems, and China-Africa cooperation is also facing some challenges. The ambassador encouraged students to study hard, truly understand the needs of the African people, deeply understand the significance of relations between China and Africa, and advance China-Africa relations to a better future. He said that SIPA is a fertile ground for training diplomats of future, and he hopes that students can continue to make progress and work hard to contribute to relations between China and Africa. The ambassador humorously said: "in the Republic of Sierra Leone, everyone wants to come to Jilin University and study in the school of International and Public Affairs, because they know that after studying here, they can become ambassadors of the Republic of Sierra Leone." Then, in the free exchange session, the ambassador had a warm exchange with his former teachers, and took photos with the teachers and students in a joyous atmosphere.
In the afternoon, Ambassador Kapuwa gave a special lecture entitled "China-Africa Relations Beyond Resource Diplomacy" at the International Academic Lecture Hall. Li Meihua, Dean of the School of International Education, Yang Min, SIPA faculty and all undergraduates and foreign students attended this lecture. The lecture was moderated by Dr. Yan Zhen.
Ambassador took the essence of China-Africa relations as the goal of the explanation, and analyzed the current challenges and development directions of China-Africa relations for the future from multiple perspectives - history, theory, and real changes. He emphasized that relations between China and Africa is not only the result of long-term friendship in history, but also a friendly and cooperative relationship that conforms to the national interests of both sides and the development expectations of the African people. He clarified some misunderstandings about China-Africa relations in the international community. And he pointed out that no matter what the situation becomes, stability is the prerequisite for development, and development is the best way out. China has a pivotal position in standing with the stable development in Africa.
The students asked questions about the future of relation between China and Africa and the current challenges that African countries are facing. The ambassador combined his rich experience in foreign affairs and profound academic insight to provide detailed answers to students and won warm applause from the teachers and students. The ambassador’s speech was not only a lecture on professional knowledge, but also fully demonstrated his deep thinking on real international affairs, and provided valuable way of thinking for diplomacy students.
It is reported that since 2006, SIPA has trained a number of outstanding graduates represented by, but not limited to, Kem Sambath, Chairman of the External Relations Committee of the Central Committee of the Cambodian People's Party, Manzoor Khan Afridi, director of the Department of Politics and International Relations of International Islamic University in Islamabad, Rafael Goncalves de Lima editor of "People's Daily" and Xinhua News Agency and also one of the Portuguese translations of Volumes 1 and 2 of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China " and other outstanding Alumni.
