On October 30, 2024, at the invitation of the School of International Education at Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT), Akiber Chufo Wachemo, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Wolaita Sodo University in Ethiopia, and an outstanding international alumnus of the university, visited the School of International Education to engage in seminar exchanges and deliver a research lecture.
Li Qifang, Secretary of the Party General Branch of the School of International Education, Yuan Hairong, Professor from the School of Chemical Engineering， along with relevant personnel from the Office of International Students of the School of International Education, participated in the seminar. During the seminar, Li Qifang extended a sincere welcome to the international alumnus Akiber Chufo Wachemo (Chinese name “Chu Fu”) and engaged in a warm exchange with him. He briefed Akiber Chufo Wachemo on the changes, development status, and achievements of the university in recent years across various fields, and also emphasized that outstanding international alumni are a source of pride for the university and a powerful testament to the success of its international education. Li Qifang expressed his hope to use Vice Chancellor Akiber Chufo Wachemo as a bridge to foster exchanges and cooperation with more universities in Ethiopia and to recommend more outstanding candidates for faculty to pursue doctoral degrees at the university. He also welcomed more international alumni to frequently revisit their alma mater to experience its development and sense of unity.
Akiber Chufo Wachemo stated that since graduating with a Ph.D. from BUCT in 2015 and subsequently completing his postdoctoral research at the university, returning to his alma mater now fills him with immense excitement and joy. It feels as if the scenes of his past diligent studies and relentless pursuit of scientific research technology are reappearing before his eyes. During his Ph.D. and postdoctoral studies, he published over 45 different types of research papers in prestigious international SCI-indexed journals such as Bio-resource Technology, Science of the Total Environment, Chemical Engineering, Energy & Fuels, Journal of Cleaner Production, Energy, Applied Energy, Waste Management, and Fuels. These achievements were made possible thanks to his learning experience in China. After returning to his home country, he continued his scientific research in related fields and attained multiple accomplishments. The academic experience at BUCT, combined with his hard work, brought tremendous changes to his career, culminating in his promotion to Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Wolaita Sodo University in Ethiopia, in 2023. He spoke of his pride in his alma mater, referring to China as his second home. He is very willing to become an envoy between BUCT and Ethiopia, contributing his efforts and resources to foster international exchange and cooperation between the two universities and even the two countries. Akiber Chufo Wachemo especially thanked his alma mater for the support and cultivation he received during his studies. He emphasized that it was the university's strong academic atmosphere and caring educational environment that propelled him to make significant academic progress and achievements.
Subsequently, Li Qifang presented Akiber Chufo Wachemo with a certificate appointing him as a council member of the Alumni Association of the School of International Education at Beijing University of Chemical Technology. This recognition honored his contributions and supports to the alma mater's international education efforts, and aimed to inspire more international alumni to contribute to the university's internationalization.
Outstanding international alumni serve as a vital force in spreading the university's educational philosophy and Chinese culture, helping to continuously expand the university's international influence and attract more exceptional international students to come to China and study at Beijing University of Chemical Technology. This exchange event not only deepened the bond between the university and its alumni but also provided insights for promoting the development of China-Africa education. In the future, our university will leverage alumni resources to expand exchanges and cooperation through diverse inter-university partnerships and multifaceted cultivation models, cultivating more outstanding talents for countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.
