Three research and work teams from Ajman University of Science and Technology have visited China, following the visit of His Excellency Dr. Saeed Abdullah Salman, President of Ajman University of Science & Technology, in September 2009. The teams were made up of experts in the fields of Islamic Studies and Arabic, stem cell research and complementary medicine.
The Arabic team was received at the UAE Embassy in Beijing and afterwards began its program by visiting the UAE Center for Arabic Language and Islamic Studies, founded by the late His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan after his visit to China in 1990. The Center is now part of the Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU), which a leading Chinese university for the teaching of languages, offering 49 languages including specialization in Arabic language.
During their visit, the AUST delegation met the BFSU Chancellor, Professor Xue Yi Yang, and members of the Arabic Language Department, including Professor Zhang Hong (Ammar), Head of Department, Professor Xue Qing-Guo (Bassam), Assistant Head of Department, and the Public Relations Manager. A further meeting was held with the Head of the Arabic Language Department and faculty members Dr. Qi Ming Min (Laila), Dr. Wu Xiao-Qin (Zainab) and Dr. Ye Liang-Yin (Hind).
During the meetings, the AUST delegation heard that Beijing faculty members are designing a standard examination in Arabic to be used in 20 Chinese universities which offer Arabic programs. BFSU graduates obtain a high rate of employment, 99 percent, with 11 graduates currently acting as ambassadors of China in Arab countries, and others working in diplomatic positions and in ministries of trade and foreign and government agencies.
At the opening meeting, the Chancellor of BFSU expressed his appreciation to Dr. Saeed Salman, President of AUST, for sending a large delegation, saying that it displayed the strong relationship between the two universities. He gave an open invitation to AUST to cooperate with his university in various areas of teaching and scientific research, such as literature, the arts, law, business administration and languages. Dr. Samir Bloukh, head of the AUST delegation, welcomed this step and stated that AUST extends its hand to Beijing Foreign Studies University students, faculty members and researchers. He expressed the readiness of AUST to receive Arabic language students, and to send AUST faculty members to Beijing. He also expressed AUST's willingness to work with BFSU to achieve common goals in the interest of both universities in the short, medium and long terms.
The Chancellor then stated that he has a special regard for the UAE government and people and is proud of the UAE Center for Arabic Language and Islamic Studies. He pointed out that the center has become well known through visits organized by formal and informal Muslim and Arab delegations visiting China, including country leaders, and he added the hope that this center is unique in China and East Asia in the field of Arabic Language and Islamic Studies.
Professor Mohammed Radwan Al-Daya, a member of AUST delegation said that the Authority of Arabic Language Advancement, launched by His Excellency Dr. Saeed Salman, President of AUST, aims to use every means available at AUST to serve the progression of Arabic through the adoption of an integrated approach, which includes the modernization of textbooks, dictionaries and curriculum teaching methods and standard tests. He stated that AUST has a number of entities which can play a role in this field, in particular the Center for Translation and Linguistic Research, the Translation and English Language section, and Arabic language and Islamic studies Department.
In the second meeting, held between the AUST delegation and the Head and faculty members of the Beijing Arabic Language Department, AUST team members were informed of problems faced by the BFSU Arabic Department. These include the scarcity of resources in Arabic bookstores, the scarcity of digital references on the Internet for students and instructors alike, problems relating to the inclusion of new words and terms in Arabic dictionaries, and old methods of teaching used by some Arabic teachers, learned in Arab countries. Professor Mohammed Radwan Al-Daya from AUST said that AUST is ready to provide support and help in these matters, and promised to check materials given to the AUST delegation by the Beijing Arabic Department. He stated that AUST is ready to send experts to evaluate the Beijing programs.
He also added that AUST is willing to introduce the Beijing Foreign Studies University to appropriate UAE organizations and associations, for example the Arabic Language defense authorities and the College of Arabic and Islamic Studies of Juma Al Majid, as they teach Master and Doctorate level programs in Arabic. Dr. Eman Salman of AUST said that the Beijing department of Arabic can investigate the Arabic Language course offered by AUST to non-Arabic speakers through navigating the course description, and adapt it for their use. She also called for the setting up of exchange visits which would provide an opportunity for interaction between students and instructors; such exchanges would create an atmosphere of positive competition and generate further interest in Arabic. Professor Abdul Mounim Balla from AUST said that the University opens its doors to its Beijing colleagues for cooperation, including exchange visits, launching common courses, dictionary publications, conferences and joint activities and events in the UAE, China and other countries in coordination with Arabic Language Academies, associations of Arab universities, and other interested parties.
Professor Balla added that an Arab is not only an Arabic in origin and belonging, but also Arab by tongue. Professor Zhang Hong, Head of the Arabic Language Department at Beijing Foreign Studies University replied that, 'we feel that we are also Arabs, and that the Arab destiny is important to us. All Arab visitors, whether researchers, students or media professionals, are our brothers.' Moreover, AUST team members expressed their willingness to cooperate with Beijing colleagues to help solve problems faced in teaching Arabic, and working to remove obstacles encountered through making Ajman facilities and experience available. At the conclusion of the meetings both sides reviewed the recommendations and agreed to sign a cooperation agreement or memorandum of understanding in the near future. Arabic publications were exchanged and commemorative shields given, and the sessions ended with group photographs.
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© Press Release 2010
