Faculty and Students from the School of Foreign Languages Visit Morocco – Advancing Regional and Country Cooperation and Enhancing Global Competence

At the invitation of the École Nationale Supérieure de l’Administration (ENSA) in Morocco, Feng Hui, Director of the English Department of the School of Foreign Languages, and English major student Liu Xiaoyu joined Tianjin University’s visiting delegation to Morocco from April 20 to May 1, 2025, for a series of academic exchanges and field investigations. Centered on the theme “Deepening Regional and Country Cooperation and Supporting the Development of the Institute for Global South Studies,” the visit constituted an important practice for the School in serving national strategies, expanding international cooperation, and exploring new models for cultivating cross-cultural talent. It not only broadened the depth and scope of China–Morocco higher-education cooperation but also significantly enhanced students’ academic capabilities, comprehensive skills, and cultural literacy.

Advancing Inter-university Cooperation and Deepening International Academic Exchange

The delegation first visited ENSA, where it reached consensus with President Nada BIAZ on joint programs and talent cultivation. It then visited Mohammed V University (UM5) and the Université Internationale de Rabat (UIR), discussing with the head of the UM5 English Department such cooperation avenues as academic exchange and joint course development, thereby laying the groundwork for future joint curricula and visiting programs. These partnerships have injected fresh vitality into the School’s disciplinary development and created more platforms for students to study and exchange abroad.

High-level Engagement and Reporting of Outcomes to Strengthen Service to National Strategies

On April 23, the delegation was invited to the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Morocco, where it briefed Ambassador Li Changlin in detail on the development of the School’s doctoral program in regional and country studies, the Institute for Global South Studies, and the project “Innovative Cooperation on Language Services and Health Governance from a Global South Perspective.” The delegation also established working contacts with relevant divisions of the Embassy and invited embassy staff to give thematic lectures for students at Tianjin University during future visits to China, thereby further strengthening the linkage between on-campus and off-campus resources.

Serving International Conferences and Forging Students’ Comprehensive Competence

On April 24 and 25, faculty and students of the delegation jointly took part in the International Conference on “China–Morocco Experiences in Territorial Governance and Decentralization” and the forum “Women in Artificial Intelligence: Reshaping Leadership.” Faculty representatives delivered keynote speeches on language services and AI development, while students actively engaged in conference services, distribution of materials, on-site liaison, and undertook oral interpretation and explanatory tasks, demonstrating strong foreign language skills and professional competence. The experience showed that international conferences serve not only as platforms for academic exchange but also as important arenas for enhancing students’ capabilities and professional qualities.

Deepening Classroom Study and Experiencing Multicultural Integration

In ENSA’s Global Governance course, students studied topics such as the world economy, China–Morocco trade, and the Belt and Road Initiative alongside outstanding local peers. Immersed in an all-English teaching environment, they honed their language skills and broadened their international horizons. Through active classroom participation, they experienced firsthand the multiple functions of foreign languages as tools for learning and bridges for communication, and gained a deeper understanding of their mission in this new era to “tell China’s stories well in foreign languages.”

Enterprise Visits and Political Observations to Deepen National Commitment

The delegation visited Huawei Morocco to learn about the development footprint of Chinese enterprises in Africa. Students gained a tangible sense of the international influence of “Chinese brands,” which further stimulated their national pride and sense of professional responsibility. The delegation also toured the Moroccan Parliament, where members observed parliamentary proceedings and gained a more intuitive understanding of Morocco’s constitutional system and democratic practice, thereby deepening their grasp of comparative political institutions.

Cultural Exchanges to Enhance Intercultural Understanding

During the visit, faculty and students of Tianjin University traveled to Rabat, Casablanca, and Tangier, examining Morocco’s multilingual ecology and cultural governance. They explored urban neighborhoods and traditional markets, engaged in in-depth exchanges with faculty and students from local universities, and experienced traditional Moroccan dress and arts. In doing so, they acquired cultural knowledge beyond textbooks and collected valuable first-hand materials for regional and country studies. Through face-to-face interaction, students not only deepened their understanding of African cultures but also strengthened their academic aspirations and career plans in the fields of language and cultural communication.

Looking Ahead: Translating Visit Outcomes into Practice and Building Platforms in Parallel

This visit to Morocco marked an important practice by the School of Foreign Languages in serving national strategies and deepening international cooperation. It not only broadened the foundation for initiatives such as the “Global South Lecture Series” and “African Area Studies,” but also provided valuable experience for training multi-lingual, multi-competent professionals. Through joint investigations by faculty and students and engagement with high-level partners, the School continues to implement its educational philosophy of “language as a foundation, governance as application.” Going forward, it will further unlock students’ potential, enhance their global competence, and make greater contributions to the Belt and Road Initiative and to the development of the Institute for Global South Studies.