On October 26, International Education College of China University of Geosciences (CUG) held a special online seminar with Benin’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS) and Ministry of Energy, Water and Mines (MEEM). Both sides conducted in‑depth consultations on geoscience‑related talent development, professional training, scientific research innovation and industry‑university‑research platform building, and reached preliminary cooperation intentions.
Representatives attending the meeting included Ms. Obo Yvette ONIBON DOUBOGAN, Technical Advisor Technical Adviser for Higher Education at Benin’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Mr. Agnidé Emmanuel LAWIN, Deputy Director of the Cabinet at Benin’s Ministry of Energy, Water and Mines; and Prof. XU Feng, Executive Dean of International Education College at CUG, together with relevant staff from both sides. Dr. DAMIEN S. TIANDO, a Beninese staff member of CUG, presided.
During the meeting, the Chinese side presented CUG’s strengths in geoscience disciplines, campus resources and achievements in international talent training, and proposed visions for industry‑university‑research cooperation with Benin. The two Beninese ministries shared the country’s current situation in mineral, water and energy development as well as its higher‑education and research landscape, and put forward local development needs in geoscience‑related sectors.
The two sides held focused discussions on industry‑university‑research collaboration in geosciences and exchanged views on cooperation fields including professional training for industry personnel, technical exchanges, and joint curriculum development. Participants explored leveraging CUG’s Belt and Road International Education and Training Center for Geoscience to deliver long‑term and short‑term geoscience training programs for Benin’s technical and managerial staff. Through academic exchanges, joint research and technical workshops, both sides aim to respond to Benin’s practical industrial demands in mineral exploration, water‑resource development and geo‑environmental protection, to apply teaching and research results to boost local industrial development.
Both sides agreed to follow up with further consultations to refine cooperation modalities and implement concrete initiatives, to foster a local cohort of young researchers and technical professionals in Benin’s geoscience sector.
Benin is a country participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. China and Benin elevated their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership in 2023. This seminar serves as a valuable practice for China‑Africa industry‑university‑research exchanges under the framework of high‑quality Belt and Road cooperation. It establishes a direct communication channel between CUG and Benin’s ministries and lays a solid foundation for future collaborative development of science, education and industry in geosciences between the two countries.
