RUC Delegation led by President Prof. Ji Baocheng visited four universities in the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Turkey from Dec. 14th to Dec. 24th, 2009. The delegation members included Prof. Tang Zhong, Director of RUC International Office, Prof. Sun Jiazhou, Dean of RUC School of History, Prof. Jin Canrong, Deputy Dean of RUC School of International Studies, and Prof. Lin Jianrong, Director of RUC Department of Assets and Logistic Management.

This was the first time for RUC delegation to visit Arabian and Islamic countries, so it could be called a journey of ice-breaking which was of great significance for expanding RUC’s international influence and exploiting new opportunity for international cooperation. The delegation visited four top universities in the three countries and discussed about possible cooperation, reached some consensus and also visited several scientific and cultural research institutions.

On Dec. 14th, the RUC delegation transferred in Dubai and visited ICBC Middle East Branch. Prof. Ji met with Mr. Tian Zhiping, Manager of ICBC Middle East Branch and four of the RUC alumni working there.

On Dec. 16th, the RUC delegation visited King Abdulaziz University (KAU). Prof. Osama Tayyeb, KAU President, accompanied by four Vice Presidents and Dean of Faculty of Economics and Administration, feted the RUC delegation. Later, the delegation visited KAU Faculty of Economics and Administration, IT Center and Faculty of Medicine and learned about KAU’s plan for future development.

On the evening of Dec.18th, Ambassador of China to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mr. Yang Honglin and his wife feted the RUC delegation and introduced the situation of the Middle East.

On Dec.19th, the RUC delegation visited King Saud University (KSU). Prof. Dr. Abdulla Al-Othman, Rector of KSU, welcomed the delegation and had a meeting with Prof. Ji Baocheng in Riyadh Techno Valley. Both sides exchanged their opinions on cooperation and communication.

The RUC delegation also visited KSU College of Languages and Translation. Dr. Saad H. AlHashash, Dean of Languages and Translation, expected cooperation with RUC in making teaching plan of Chinese language, and exchange of students and teachers. Prof. Ji expressed that RUC would like to provide support and welcomed KSU students to study in RUC.

In the same afternoon, the RUC delegation visited King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and communicated with Dr. Mohammed, President of KACST.

On Dec. 21st, the RUC delegation visited Ankara University in Turkey. Prof. Cemal TALUĞ, Rector of Ankara University, met with Prof. Ji Baocheng and the delegation. Both sides fully praised each other’s places in Turkey and China both as the first established universities after the establishment of the two countries and discussed about the drafted cooperation memorandum. The delegation also visited the administrative institutions and Faculty of Law and communicated with teachers of Department of Chinese Language.

On Dec. 22n d, Prof. Jin Canrong and Prof. Tang Zhong of RUC delegation gave speeches in Turkish Center for Policy Alternatives.

On Dec. 23rd, the RUC delegation visited Istanbul University founded in 1453. Prof. Zeynep Çiğdem Kayacan, Vice Sector of Istanbul University, welcomed the delegation and hoped to sign a collaborative agreement with RUC. Prof. Ji Baocheng said that RUC would like to develop bilateral cooperation and invited them to visit RUC and sign the agreement in the near future.

This visit was a significant attempt of RUC to establish contact with universities in the Middle East and West Asian countries and would be an important beginning of improving RUC’s international image in these areas.