On May 13, a delegation led by José Daniel Rojas Medellín, Minister of Education of Colombia, visited Beihang University. President Wang Yunpeng met with the guests at the Ruxin Conference Center, accompanied by Vice President Zhao Weisheng, heads of relevant departments including the Department of Academic Affairs, International Relations Department, and Hangzhou International Innovation Institute, as well as representatives of Colombian students studying at Beihang.

In his address, President Wang extended a warm welcome to Minister Rojas for his visit to China and his first stop at Beihang. He highlighted Beihang’s recent achievements in talent cultivation, scientific research, and global collaboration, emphasizing the practical significance of the delegation’s visit in advancing cooperation between Beihang and Colombian educational and scientific institutions.

President Wang proposed three key areas for future collaboration: strengthening scientific cooperation through joint research and sharing of technological achievements to promote industry-academia integration; enhancing cultural exchanges by organizing regular youth programs to foster global competence among students; and expanding educational partnerships with Colombian universities, including faculty and student exchanges and joint degree programs.

Minister Rojas expressed his gratitude for Beihang’s hospitality and praised the university’s inclusive, innovative, and collaborative approach to international education, which aligns with Colombia’s educational development strategy. He commended Beihang’s advancements in technology, particularly its efforts to build an "AI + Education" ecosystem, and expressed Colombia’s interest in deepening cooperation in artificial intelligence, green energy, and other fields to accelerate national technological and socio-economic progress.

Following that, Minister Rojas and President Wang signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Beihang University and the El Instituto Colombiano de Crédito Educativo y Estudios Técnicos (ICETEX), marking a significant step in bilateral educational cooperation.

During the visit, Minister Rojas also toured the Beijing Air and Space Museum and the National Key Laboratory of Virtual Reality Technology and Systems, gaining insights into Beihang’s achievements in aerospace and cutting-edge technologies. He also engaged with Colombian students studying at Beihang, who shared their experiences, showcasing the university’s vibrant international community and inclusive campus culture.

ICETEX is a Colombian government agency overseeing overseas scholarships for higher education. The visit coincides with the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum and the 45th anniversary of China-Colombia diplomatic relations. Facilitated by the Chinese Embassy in Colombia, the agreement aims to promote faculty and student exchanges and scholarship programs, opening a new chapter in Beihang’s collaboration with Colombian institutions in education and research.

Editor: Lyu Xingyun