On September 1st, Phout Simmalavong, the Minister of Education and Sports of Lao PDR, and his 6-member delegation visited Kunming University of Science and Technology (KUST). Tang Jiahua, Secretary of the Party Committee of KUST, and Wang Hua, President of KUST, met with the delegation, respectively.
During the meeting, Tang introduced KUST, a well-known high-level university in western China with distinct characteristics in science and engineering. Currently, in line with the directives of the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government, KUST is actively working towards achieving a “Double First-Class” university. KUST plays a crucial role in contributing to the high-quality development of “the Belt and Road Initiative” and fostering the China-Laos Community with a Shared Future. KUST has also collaborated with Souphanouvong University（SU）in northern Laos to establish a Confucius Institute, hoping to cultivate more Laotian talents for the development of northern Laos.
Wang said that September 1st marked the official commencement of KUST's 70thanniversary celebration. He conveyed his delight at Minister Phout Simmalavong and his delegation's visit, which added a touch of joy to the series of activities celebrating the 70th anniversary. Wang introduced KUST’s history, achievements, and development goals, highlighting the longstanding friendship between KUST and Laos and Laos’ consistent support for KUST. He also emphasized KUST's deep commitment to international exchanges and cooperation, noting the fruitful educational collaborations and remarkable outcomes achieved through partnerships with relevant universities and research institutes in Laos. Finally, he expressed sincere hopes for Minister Phout Simmalavong's continued support in furthering education, culture, and sport cooperation between KUST and Laos.
Simmalavong extended his best wishes for the successful establishment of a “Double First-Class” university at KUST. He also expressed gratitude for KUST’s contributions to cultivating the talents needed in Laos and affirmed the full support of the Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos for KUST’s proposed cooperation. During the discussion, Simmalavong conveyed his great pleasure at visiting KUST, referring to KUST as an old friend and a good neighbor. He highlighted the close geographical and ideological ties between China and Laos as socialist countries and emphasized the continuous efforts of the two nations' leaders in promoting bilateral relations. Additionally, he noted both the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR and its affiliated universities have been active implementers of the consensus on China-Laos Community with a Shared Future. Through his visit to KUST, Simmalavong witnessed KUST’s remarkable progress and achievements, including a significant number of faculty members and research outcomes that have reached the global level. On behalf of the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR, he expressed his heartfelt thanks to KUST's longstanding support for Laos’ education and sincerely congratulated KUST on its outstanding achievements over the past 70 years. He hoped to intensify cooperation in scientific research, faculty training in Laos Polytechnic disciplines, and mutual exchange of students in the future. Finally, he pledged the Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR, together with KUST and SU, would support the Confucius Institute at SU to achieve tremendous success.
Simmalavong and his delegation inspected the relevant laboratories of the Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, the Faculty of Aeronautics, the Faculty of Food Science and Engineering, the Faculty of Electric Power Engineering, and the Faculty of Information Engineering and Automation at KUST. They also saw a campus relay race between teachers and students themed “Carrying forward KUST’s Spirit, Striving for Progress” and visited Laotian students currently studying at KUST.
Representatives from KUST and Laos participated in the inspection, meetings, and discussions, including Souphap Khounvixay, Secretary to the Minister, Khamkeo Hansana, Deputy Director of the Department of Higher Education, Sisamout Saenbouttaraj, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation, and heads of relevant departments from Laos; Yi Jianhong, member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee of KUST, Pan Bo, Vice President of KUST, and heads of relevant departments and faculties from KUST.
Translated by: ZHANG Yanyan, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Cultures
Edited by: CHEN Chunli, Faculty of Foreign Languages and Cultures (English)
Source: Division of International Cooperation and School of International Education
Issued by: Division of International Cooperation (English)
Edited by: KUST News Center (Chinese)
