On 23 May 2023, a delegation of four members headed by Dr. Teng Waninga, the vice chancellor of the University of Goroka (UOG) in Papua New Guinea, visited the Open University of China (OUC).

The meeting was attended by Fan Xianrui, the vice president of OUC, as well as heads of the International Department, Information Technology Department (Engineering Research Centre), relevant university-owned enterprises, and other relevant departments.

Fan warmly welcomed the UOG delegation and expressed her appreciation for their visit. She emphasised the strong partnership between China and Papua New Guinea, highlighting the country's role as the first South-Pacific island-country to sign an agreement with China for joint development of the Belt & Road Initiative. Fan noted the growing cooperation in the fields of economy, culture, and education between the two countries.

She further highlighted the collaborative efforts between the OUC and the UOG, including the signing of a memorandum of cooperation in 2019 and the establishment of the Papua New Guinea Learning Centre in 2022. These initiatives have facilitated Chinese language teaching, mutual visits of teachers and students, and collaborative research. Fan expressed her hope that through this exchange, both sides would strengthen the development of the learning centre and explore broader areas of cooperation, guided by the principle of "joint discussion, construction, and sharing". This would contribute to the implementation of the Belt & Road Initiative in the education sector and promote mutual development and prosperity for both parties.

Dr. Waninga acknowledged the existing cooperation between the OUC and the UOG and expressed his belief that it would open up greater opportunities for collaboration and potential. He emphasised the importance of strengthening future cooperation between the two institutions and promoting the implementation of various projects. These projects would encompass areas such as teacher and student exchange programmes, mutual recognition of credits, technical cooperation, and the organisation of international conferences.

The UOG delegation also had the opportunity to visit the OUC's "Internet Plus University" exhibition centre and the exhibition hall of the Seniors University of China.

Written by Liu Xiaoqian, photographed by Zhuge Huanyu,OUC