UniPort and China-Japan-ROK Innovation Cooperation Center Explore Establishment of West Africa China Institute

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Chike Princewill, on Friday, September 18, 2026, received the Director of the China-Japan-ROK Innovation Cooperation Center, Amb. Jay Xu, who paid a courtesy visit to his office.

The visit provided an opportunity for both parties to explore areas of collaboration, with particular emphasis on the proposed establishment of a West Africa China Institute at the University of Port Harcourt. The proposed Institute is envisioned as a platform for knowledge exchange, innovation, and capacity building, with a focus on Agriculture, Technology, and human capital development. It is expected to foster stronger linkages between the University and relevant institutions in China, while contributing to knowledge and skills development within the wider West African region.

Welcoming the proposal, Prof. Chike Princewill described it as an opportunity to strengthen academic, technological, and developmental cooperation between the University of Port Harcourt and its prospective Chinese partners. The Vice-Chancellor expressed the University’s readiness to explore mutually beneficial areas of collaboration that would advance research, innovation, knowledge transfer, and human capital development.

The meeting marks a significant step towards exploring new avenues of international partnership and positioning the University of Port Harcourt as a platform for impactful academic and developmental cooperation.