On the afternoon of July 1^st, a delegation of 10 representatives, composed of H.E. Ms. Yvette Sylla, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Madagascar; H.E.Mr. Tahirimiakadaza Ratsimandao, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Madagascar and alumni of the 2008 cohort of the International Master of Public Administration (IMPA) Program at the School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University ( Tsinghua SPPM); Mr. Sambaniaina Nomenjanahary Jean Victor, First Counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Madagascar to China; Mr. Wang Xin, from the Department of African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China; Mr. Chen Hanyang, from the Department of Translation and Interpretation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China; and other accompanying officials paid a courtesy visit to Tsinghua SPPM. Professor Xue Lan, the Senior Professor of Liberal Arts, Dean of Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University and Director of the Tsinghua SPPM Academic Committee; Professor Peng Zongchao, Party Secretary of Tsinghua SPPM; Associate Professor Chen Tianhao; and the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange cordially received the visiting guests.

Group photo of the delegation of Madagascar and Tsinghua SPPM representatives

Professor Peng Zongchao warmly welcomed Foreign Minister Sylla and her delegation, whilst also extending his sincere greetings to Mr. Ratsimandao, an outstanding alumnus of Tsinghua SPPM. Professor Peng stated, it was a great honour and pleasure to receive the delegation of representatives from Madagascar and reunite with an excellent alumnus during the 102^nd founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China. To deepen the cooperation between China and African countries is a key objective for Tsinghua University in its vision of becoming a world-class university. It represents at the same time an important channel to promote international collaboration. Tsinghua SPPM has always adhered to this guiding principle, by acknowledging the mandate of serving the country and enhancing the exchange and partnerships between Chinese and African higher education institutions.

Since the establishment of international programs in 2007, Tsinghua SPPM has gradually launched unique programs, including the IMPA program. The overall purpose is to provide a platform for international students to understand better Chinese modernization and Chinese development in practical terms, while contributing to development at the global level. Eight outstanding postgraduate alumni come from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Madagascar. Taking this as an opportunity, Tsinghua SPPM is looking forward to welcome more talent from the public sector in Madagascar to study at Tsinghua University. It would open the doors to a new chapter of friendship between the two parties.

Professor Peng Zongchao delivering his remarks

Professor Xue Lan also cordially welcomed Foreign Minister Sylla and her delegation and presented a general overview of the Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University. As expressed by Professor Xue, the visit of the delegation from Madagascar has reinforced the connecting bridge between China and Madagascar. He is hopeful of the cooperation between the two countries on the fields of talent cultivation, national governance, global governance, and the strengthening of their collaboration in academic research. It would enhance the communication between China and Africa and stimulate international development.

Professor Xue Lan delivering his remarks

H.E. Foreign Minister Sylla expressed her appreciation to Tsinghua SPPM and conveyed her congratulatory remarks to the Communist Party of China for its 102^nd founding anniversary. H.E. Ms. Sylla stated, Madagascar and China have had a profound engagement, based on a continued relation of friendliness. This visit to Tsinghua SPPM has assured her the positive prospects of advancing their cooperation in the field of education. She firmly believes education plays a pivotal role in international governance, as it can deepen humanism and peaceful development, which are important needs in our present world. She showed her gratitude to Tsinghua SPPM for the education provided to Mr. Ratsimandao. She hopes that in the future there is more prominent talent from the public sector in Madagascar coming to China and Tsinghua University, who can gain experience and subsequently contribute to the amelioration of the education sector in Madagascar.

Afterwards, Associate Professor Chen Tianhao presented the development history of Tsinghua SPPM to the guests. In a pleasant atmosphere, both parties concluded the meeting amicably.

H.E. Foreign Minister Sylla delivering her remarks

Associate Professor Chen Tianhao presenting the development history of Tsinghua SPPM

H.E. Mr. Ratsimandao delivering his remarks

The delegation of Madagascar and Tsinghua SPPM representatives actively engaged in the meeting