Sharjah24: The Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (RIHSS) at the University of Sharjah (UOS) organized s scientific symposium in collaboration with Tsinghua University, China, under the title: “Forging Research Partnerships” to cooperate in fields of scientific research, teaching and learning, with the participation of a group of distinguished researchers from China, Japan, and the United Kingdom, alongside college deans, research group coordinators, and post-graduate students from the University of Sharjah.

The symposium began with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences (RIHSS) at the University of Sharjah, and the Institute for International and Area Studies at Tsinghua University. The MoU was signed on behalf of UOS by Prof. Maamar Bettayeb, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies, and by Mr. ZHAO, Jinsong, Director of the Institute for International and Area Studies at Tsinghua University. The memorandum entails research collaboration in the field of humanities and social sciences, as well as collaborative exchange of faculty and student, and promoting research in the West Asia and North Africa region.

Following the signing ceremony, Prof. Maamar Bettayeb welcomed the attendees and participants, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation among academic institutions. He highlighted that the University of Sharjah, as part of its current strategic pillars, emphasizes the significance of international collaboration with prestigious scientific institutions to foster cooperation across various disciplines, aiming to address current societal challenges. 

He commended Tsinghua University for its advanced ranking in international classifications, being ranked 8th globally in international reputation and 12th in global university rankings for 2024.

The attendees witnessed the launch of a joint research office between the two universities under the name “Sharjah Research Office” headquartered at RIHSS.
Dr. Duan Jiuzhou Assistant Professor and Assistant Director, Institute for International and Area Studies, Tsinghua University, Dr.MaYue Assistant Professor at Tsinghua University, discussed the nature and importance of the Sharjah Research Office in enhancing future cooperation opportunities through its research activities.

During the first scientific session of the symposium, titled “Academic Dialogue: Social Development and Sustainability in the Global South from a New Developmentalist Perspective,”chaired by Prof. Jairo A. Lugo-Ocando, Dean of the College of Communcation, UOS, and Prof. Tim Niblock, Director of the Center for Global Studies, IIAS, Tsinghua University, speakers and participants discussed a number of topics including economic growth, social  development in Thailand, the emergence of New Developmentalism in Practice: Reflections on China's New Rural Movement, Learning by Teaching: Singapore’s Land Development Policy Transfer Experience in China, Exploring China's Role in Africa's Development, Exogenous Factors and Unsustainable Development: Markets, Savings and Growth.”

As for the second session, chaired by Prof. Fakir Al Gharaibeh, Director of RIHSS, and Prof. Adam Hanieh, Joint Professor, IIAS, Tsinghua University, China, and Professor, University of Exeter, UK, speakers and attendees from the University of Sharjah and Tsinghua University discussed ways to enhance future research cooperation in joint scientific research in areas of matual interest.