The Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has approved a new student exchange programme between Ambrose Alli University (AAU) and Fujian Jiangxia University, a Chinese university, giving students access to international learning opportunities in culture, science, and modern technology.
The programme is expected to enhance teaching and learning by exposing participants to new academic environments, modern facilities, and diverse cultural experiences that will enrich their personal and professional development.
Okpebholo, who received a delegation from Fujian Jiangxia University at the Government House in Benin City, said the initiative will help students in both countries benefit from global exposure, cross-cultural learning, and academic collaboration.
During the meting on Wednesday, he remarked that his administration had long anticipated such an engagement, emphasizing that meaningful partnerships with nations like China are critical for sustainable knowledge transfer and capacity development.
“We have long looked forward to this kind of partnership, this exchange will open up new opportunities for knowledge transfer in science, culture, and technology, areas that are vital to Edo State’s growth,” he said.
“News of your visit brought us great joy, as this collaboration with China is one I have earnestly looked forward to. It presents an opportunity to exchange knowledge across education, culture, science, and technology. Learning is a lifelong pursuit, and the transfer of knowledge is central to our administration’s vision for transformation,” Okpebholo stated.
The governor further emphasized Edo State’s cultural depth and expressed optimism that China would benefit from its rich heritage, just as the south-south state stands to gain from the Asian country’s technological advancements.
“This partnership, particularly the agreement between Fujian Jiangxia University and Ambrose Alli University (AAU), is of immense value to us.
“We are excited by the possibilities and believe that this collaboration will be mutually beneficial. We look forward to sharing our culture with China and gaining insights from your educational and technological systems,” Okpebholo added.
In his remarks, President of Fujian Jiangxia University, Ling Qzdan, who led the Chinese delegation, said the partnership was designed to deepen institutional ties and promote academic excellence between the two universities.
He explained that the exchange would involve joint research, faculty cooperation, and student mobility across key disciplines, noting that both universities share common strengths in technology and the sciences.
“This visit is intended to consolidate a robust partnership between Fujian and Benin City, particularly in education and cultural exchange,” Qzdan noted.
“We believe that through joint initiatives and leadership dialogue, we can significantly deepen collaboration and foster academic excellence. We are here to seek meaningful cooperation with Edo State’s educational sector and to promote mutual learning and understanding between our people,” the institution president added.
Speaking at the event, the Edo State Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu described the partnership as a strategic milestone that will reshape the future of education in the state.
To kick-start the programme officially, Iyamu disclosed that documentation for the technical agreement would be finalised by September.
“By September, we will begin finalizing the documentation to initiate a technical agreement between Fujian Jiangxia University and our own Ambrose Alli University. This is a remarkable step forward.”
The Commissioner reaffirmed the Governor’s commitment to ensuring that every Edo child is equipped to compete globally, adding that reforms are underway to dismantle systemic barriers to education.
“We are committed to building a globally competitive student population grounded in science, technology, and life skills. The Governor has made it clear that Edo children must not only participate in but lead innovation.
“The Chinese are global leaders in infrastructure and technological advancement. Their integration into our educational ecosystem will not only bolster learning outcomes but also stimulate broader economic development.”
