25/05/2026
AASTU Strengthens China–Africa Collaboration Through Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Green Construction and Intelligent Engineering.
May 25,2026
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, led by Dr. Dereje Engida president of the university, participated in a series of major events held on May 14–15 in Wuhan, China, related to the establishment of the China–Ethiopia “Belt and Road” Joint Laboratory on Civil Engineering Green Construction and Intelligent Operation & Maintenance. The events included the kickoff and construction promotion meeting, the inaugural Academic Committee meeting, and the International Conference on Green Construction and Intelligent Operation & Maintenance, hosted in collaboration with Hubei University of Technology (HBUT).
The joint laboratory was established to strengthen China–Africa cooperation in green, intelligent, and low-carbon construction technologies. During the meetings, both universities highlighted the importance of scientific innovation, sustainable engineering, and international talent development in addressing future construction challenges. HBUT emphasized that the laboratory will serve as a global innovation platform and a center for cultivating highly skilled professionals under the Belt and Road Initiative.
In his remarks, Dr. Dereje Engida stated that the initiative represents an important bridge for China–Africa scientific and technological cooperation. He noted Ethiopia’s strong development potential and AASTU’s growing research capacity in construction quality and technology. AASTU expressed its commitment to advancing research in green building materials, intelligent operation and maintenance, climate-adaptive design, and engineering standards while helping train a new generation of African engineers.
During the events, Dr. Tesfaye Alemu was officially appointed Ethiopian Director of the Joint Laboratory and member of its Academic Committee, while Dr. Dereje Engida was appointed to the Construction Advisory Committee. Discussions during the Academic Committee meeting focused on promoting green and digital transformation, strengthening industry-education integration, improving standardization and innovation systems, and accelerating the implementation of research outcomes across borders.
The laboratory will operate with dual headquarters in China and Ethiopia and plans to establish research centers in South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, Egypt, and Sudan, along with international workstations in Turkey, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and South Korea. Experts and scholars from several countries also participated in the international conference, exchanging ideas on green construction, intelligent infrastructure management, structural safety, and China–Africa scientific collaboration.
The events concluded with the signing of an agreement among AASTU, HBUT, and Beijing New Building Materials Public Limited Company (BNBM) to establish the “Belt and Road” College of Excellent Engineers, further strengthening cooperation in research, innovation, and professional training for sustainable infrastructure development in Africa and beyond.
For more information about AASTU, reach us:
Website: https://www.aastu.edu.et
Facebook: http://facebook.com/aastu.edu.et
Telegram: t.me/pir2011
Email: [email protected] | [email protected]
Linkedin: https://bit.ly/aastu_officialin