Prof. Tamer Samir, President of Benha National University, participated in the China–Africa Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum 2026, held in Wuhan, China, from 10 to 13 November 2026. The forum brought together a wide range of experts, researchers, representatives of universities and research institutions, and international organisations from China and countries across Africa.
Prof. Samir outlined the history of academic relations and cooperation between Benha National University and Chinese universities, tracing the development of these ties and the efforts made to strengthen communication and establish academic and research partnerships. These partnerships open up new opportunities for collaboration in education, scientific research and innovation, as well as for exchanging expertise and facilitating student and academic visits.
He stressed the importance of further developing cooperation with Chinese universities and benefiting from their advanced expertise in technology, innovation and digital transformation. Such collaboration, he noted, can support the development of education and research, provide students and academic staff with broader opportunities to learn from international experience, and strengthen sustainable institutional partnerships between the two sides.
The China–Africa Innovation Cooperation and Development Forum is a prominent international platform dedicated to strengthening scientific and technological cooperation between China and African countries. Held annually since 2021 with the approval of China’s State Council, the forum is organised by China’s Ministry of Science and Technology in cooperation with the People’s Government of Hubei Province.
This year’s forum is held under the theme “Innovation and Cooperation for Development: Working Together Towards Modernisation.” Its programme includes the main forum, seven thematic events under the Science and Technology Plus initiative, an international promotion event, the Fifth China–Africa Youth Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, and the Second China–Africa Forum on Educational Cooperation and Innovation.
The programme also features the launch of the China–Africa MOOC Platform for open online learning and the simultaneous implementation of the Green Innovation Envoy activity in South Africa. In addition, four key outcomes were announced during the main forum, held on 11 November, to advance scientific and technological cooperation and joint innovation between China and African countries.