Delegation from the School of Foreign Languages Visits Morocco for Academic Exchange and Field Research

At the invitation of multiple Moroccan universities, Professor Wang Zhan—Distinguished Professor of the School of Foreign Languages and Executive Dean of the Institute for Global South Studies—and Lecturer Sun Xiaohan visited Morocco from October 17 to 21, 2025, for a series of academic exchanges and field research activities. The delegation visited four Moroccan higher education institutions—Hassan First University, Hassan II University, Mohammed V University, and École Centrale Casablanca—held meetings with officials of the Casablanca–Settat Region, and conducted interviews and investigations with representatives of both local Moroccan enterprises and Chinese enterprises operating in Morocco. The visit aimed to deepen inter-university cooperation between Tianjin University and Moroccan universities, expand cooperation in such areas as mutual learning among civilizations, scientific research, and talent cultivation, and examine the operations and development of both local Moroccan enterprises and Chinese companies in Morocco so as to provide policy recommendations in support of the Belt and Road Initiative and the “going global” efforts of Tianjin-based enterprises.

In meetings with representatives of Moroccan universities, the latter expressed strong willingness to cooperate with Tianjin University in scientific research and talent training, and spoke highly of the School’s sustained attention to and support for the development of Global South countries and the African region. They voiced a particular desire to carry out more cultural exchange activities with Chinese teachers and students and to undertake joint research and talent cultivation on related topics.

During the visit, the delegation also called on Professor Oualim Mustapha, former Director of the Department of International Exchanges of the Casablanca–Settat Region and former member of the regional council. He held in-depth discussions with the delegation on strengthening regional economic ties, research cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges. Professor Mustapha expressed appreciation for Tianjin’s role as a key economic center and port city in northern China and expressed the hope that the Casablanca–Settat Region and Tianjin would establish closer friendly cooperative relations, particularly in such fields as port management, intelligent manufacturing, and vocational education through targeted exchanges and experience sharing.

The delegation also held interviews and exchanges with representatives of Chinese enterprises operating in Morocco and local Moroccan companies.

This visit to Morocco solidified the foundation of friendly cooperation between Tianjin University and Moroccan institutions while paving the way for new collaborative ventures in area studies and talent development. Moving forward, the School of Foreign Languages and the Institute for Global South Studies will remain dedicated to addressing the economic and social priorities of the Global South. They will strive to establish multi-faceted, extensive, and regular cooperation mechanisms with partners in Morocco and beyond, committed to cultivating a new generation of versatile professionals in regional studies. This effort is central to their mission of fostering deeper mutual learning and exchange between Chinese and African civilizations.