About us  

1. Introduction

The Center for West African Studies of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China is established through the platform of Ministry of Education and resources from collaborative universities, institutes and alumni in West Africa. The establishment of Center for West African Studies is in line with National Philosophy and Social Sciences “Going Global” Strategy to enhance China's influence and presence in West Africa; to strengthen China-Africa collaboration; and to serve as a bridge for researchers and practitioners from China, West Africa and beyond to identify and meet the needs of West Africa. Our goal is to become a Key Philosophy and Social Sciences Studies Base under the Ministry of Education of China and be recognized as a center for comprehensive and sustainable research Think Tank on West Africa and Talents Training Center.

In 2021, the Center for West African Studies of UESTC was accredited by Ministry of Education of China. In March 2023, CWAS ranks among the top 10% of the performance appraisal organized by the Department of International Cooperation and Exchange of the Ministry of Education (among the more than 450 participating institutions in China, the only African research institution in southwest and northwest China recognized), and was accredited as the first-class research center for national and regional research center construction by the Ministry of Education of China. In May 2024, it was accredited as a Chinese member of the China-Africa University Alliance. In September 2024, it was accredited as the core joint organization of the African Joint Research Institute of the Ministry of Education (only 9 in China).

2. Research Direction

Research Targets: Focusing on Ghana, Benin, Senegal, and other major West African countries and West African regions.

Research Areas: China-West Africa politic science, economic and social development, public administration, education, literature and culture, etc.; China-West Africa economic and trade cooperation; China-West Africa intergovernmental relations.

3. Mission and Goals

The Center for West African Studies, together with five member institutions of universities in Ghana, UESTC Alumni in West Africa for West African Studies, and the Ghana Chinese Chamber of Commerce, strives to create a "1 + 1 + 1" new research model of China-Africa cooperation, which integrates a Talent Training Base, an Academic Exchange Platform and a Think Tank for West African studies. It aims to:

(1) To serve as a Talent Training Base. The Center helps to expand the source of international students from West Africa and enrich the multi-level international student training system of UESTC for undergraduate, master, and doctor. Also, it carries out overseas cadre training, teacher training, customized ICT and engineering training, and summer practice programs for students in West Africa, and devotes itself to building a diversified and distinctive overseas talent training base which integrates academic education, on-the-job training and practical training, and cultivates local talents for Chinese enterprises to address economic and social development problems.

(2) To build an Academic Exchange Platform. Through regularly holding international academic conferences such as Forum on West African Studies, organizing China-Africa Friendship—Academic—Culture Exchanges Month, and promoting overseas exhibitions of 3D platforms for cultural resources and China-West Africa International Industry-Academia-Research Cooperation Project, the Center is committed to building a platform for China-Africa exchanges and cooperations in various fields such as academics, humanities, science and technology, and enhancing the influence and cultural soft power of Chinese universities and enterprises in Africa.

(3) To establish a Think Tank for West African studies. The Center is committed to research on economic, political, and humanistic exchanges in West Africa by utilizing the disciplinary strengths and featured research of its members both in China and abroad. It works to strengthen cooperations with West African think tanks such as the Imani Center for Policy Education (ranked 113 in global think tanks) and the Institute for Statistics, Social and Economic Research (ranked 164 in global think tanks) as part of efforts to enhance joint research, and collectively publish and undertake research projects on West African studies. The Center also aims to propose policy advice to the Chinese government and West African countries, provide high-level think tank services for China in fields covering talent training, science and technology services, economic and business management, and public and political governance. And, it also strives to become an influential think tank center for West African studies.

4. Memberships

West African Members：

University of Ghana（UG），University of Cape Coast(UCC)，Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), University of Education, Winneba(UEW)，University of Development Studies(UDS)，West African Alumni Association.

UESTC Members：

School of Public Affairs and Administration, School of Management and Economics，School of Foreign Languages，School of International Education，School of Marxism，Office of Scientific Research & Development, School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, School of Information and Software Engineering.

5. Websites and Wechat Official Account

Chinese Website：https://cwas.uestc.edu.cn/sy.htm

English Website：https://cwas.uestc.edu.cn/English/Home.htm

Wechat Official Account:gh_bfde9ecc926a

6. Contact Us

Tel：0086-028-61831756/61831706

E-mail：cwasuestc@163.com

Address：Office 450, Center for West African Studies, Qingshuihe Campus, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, No. 2006, Xiyuan Avenue, High-Tech Zone (West District), Chengdu, China.