On March 21st, President Dou Xiankang met with the delegation of Kathmandu University from Nepal in the VIP Room of the Administration Building in Wuhan University. The WHU faculties also present at the meeting are Vice President Li Fei, Dean of the School of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Huang Jiesheng, Dean of the School of Health Sciences Yu Xuejie, Dean of the School of International Educations Hu Yanchu and Deputy Director of the Office of International Affairs Li Xiaoshu.

President Shrestha (left) and President Dou (right) exchanging ideas

Kathmandu University, established in 1991, is one of the most famous institutions of higher education in Nepal. In mid-December last year, delegation from Wuhan University visited Kathmandu University and signed the memorandum of understanding on the construction of "The Belt and Road Health Research Institute". This visit to Wuhan University intended to implement the consensus reached in the talks, enhance mutual understanding and promote common development and prosperity of both universities.

At the beginning, President Dou extended a cordial welcome to all of the delegation, and then representatives from both universities made reports on the progress of the collaboration.

Li Hao from the School of Health Sciences said that a breakthrough had been made in master’s and doctor’s joint training programs, with three Nepali students applying for study opportunities in health administration and clinical study in Wuhan University. “We’ve been working on the scholarship funds with support from the government. Your students will be on our priority list.” added Hu Yanchu, dean of the School of International Educations.

Ram Kantha Makaju Shrestha, president of Kathmandu University, expressed his gratitude towards Wuhan University’s previous efforts and such a warm reception. He pointed out that the two universities had established close cooperative relations on the basis of mutual trust and understanding. He wished to establish further collaboration on the construction of a hydropower station as a fieldwork base where students could “go and see, touch and learn”. “Let’s firstly explore what we can do, secondly what we have, and thirdly what we need.” President Ram Kantha Makaju Shrestha said.

Also, President Dou emphasized the significance of cooperation between the two universities and appreciated the endeavors made by both sides. He expressed his wish for cooperation across more university disciplines like medicine, global health and water conservancy and hydropower.

President Shrestha (left) pinning a school badge for President Dou (right)

After the discussion, representatives of both parties exchanged school badges and commemorative photo albums of scenery. A group photo was taken to mark the occasion.

The group photo of President Dou (fifth from right) and the delegation of Kathmandu University

“In the background of the Belt and Road Initiative, Wuhan University is actively responding to the call and shouldering the responsibility on our part.” President Dou said in his interview with a journalist after the meeting, “We will offer not only various talent such as engineers and teachers, but also hydroelectric technical assistanceto do whatever we can.”

Photo by Yang Ziqing

Edited by Xu Yixian, Zheng Yayun, Edmund Wai Man Lai, Liu Jiachen and Liu Xiaoli