A total of 29 students from UIC and Hong Kong Baptist University took a study tour to the Middle East to better understand the Belt and Road Initiative and local communities. They visited three cities, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh, in two countries: the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
The group stopped at internationally renowned academic institutions, American University of Sharjah (AUS) and Khalifa University, where they were met by senior management respectively, to learn about the higher education environment and technological development in the Middle East.
Group photo at American University of Sharjah (AUS)
Group photo at Khalifa University
They also travelled to the media hubs and visited China Central Television (CCTV)'s Middle East Centre and the Arab News, a Saudi Arabia-based English newspaper in the Middle East. After engaging in thought-provoking conversations with local executives and journalists, students had a clearer picture of the media environment there.
Chief of China Central Television (CCTV)'s Middle East Centre Ms Mu Li with Prof Huang Yu
At China Central Television (CCTV)'s Middle East Centre
A student talks with a journalist from Arab News
During the trip, the group went to the BGI Almanahil Health for Medical Services, a prime example of Sino-Saudi cooperation facilitated by the Initiative.
The group also experienced the local culture by visiting the Saudi National Museum, science museums, art museums, stadiums, the Kingdom Tower, etc.
From MPRO
Reporter: Cecilia Yu
Photos provided by GS
Editor: Deen He
