OIC, China Sign MoU on Scholarship Programme

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) hosted the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China on Monday, 16 June 2025, at its headquarters in Jeddah.

The MoU was signed on behalf of the OIC General Secretariat by  Ambassador Aftab Ahmad Khokher, Assistant Secretary General for Science and Technology. Ambassador Chang Hua, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Representative of China to the OIC, signed on behalf of the Chinese Government.

In his remarks at the signing ceremony, Ambassador Khokher commended the growing strategic partnership between the OIC and the People’s Republic of China, describing it as one rooted in mutual respect, shared development aspirations, and a strong spirit of South-South cooperation. 

He underscored the vital role of scholarships and academic exchange programmes in building human capital, promoting mutual understanding, and fostering intercultural dialogue—key pillars for achieving lasting peace and sustainable development.

For his part, Ambassador Chang Hua welcomed the signing of the MoU as a significant milestone in OIC-China relations. He reaffirmed China’s readiness to deepen cooperation with the OIC in various fields, particularly in education, science and technology, and other areas of shared interest.

Prior to the signing ceremony, Assistant Secretary General for Science and Technology, Amb. Khokhar and the Ambassador of China to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chang Hua held discussions to explore new avenues for collaboration and exchanged views on regional and global issues of common concern, especially those affecting OIC Member States.

It is worth recalling that the MoU between the OIC General Secretariat and the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China was finalized in 2024 and subsequently endorsed by the 50th Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers, held in Yaoundé, Republic of Cameroon, on 29–30 August 2024. 

The formal signing of the MoU marks the culmination of joint efforts to operationalize this important initiative, reflecting the shared commitment of both parties to advancing educational cooperation and supporting youth development across OIC Member States.