To further advance China-Africa educational cooperation and promote the work of the China-Africa Teacher Education Center (CATEC), authorized by the Ministry of Education and initiated by Beijing Normal University (BNU), a delegation of the Faculty of Education(FOE) of BNU and the UNESCO International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education (INRULED) visited Ghana from April 26 to 30. During the visit, the delegation signed a MOU with Accra College of Education to jointly establish the West Africa Branch of CATEC. The delegation also delivered three training sessions for local in-service teachers and teacher educators, and conducted a needs assessment through field visits to three local primary and secondary schools, including the demonstration school affiliated with Accra College of Education, Madina SDA Basic School, and Achimota Senior High School.
On the morning of April 27, the unveiling ceremony for the West Africa Branch of CATEC was held at Accra College of Education. Representatives attending the event included a delegate of the Ghanaian Minister of Education, leaders of Chinese and African partner institutions, teacher representatives, and mainstream media outlets such as the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.
During the ceremony, Prof. Samuel Awinkene Atintono, Principal of Accra College of Education, delivered a welcome address. He noted that since its establishment in 1902, the College has grown into one of Ghana‘s key teacher education institutions and currently enrolls more than 1,400 preservice teachers. In view of West Africa’s large population and the urgent needs of youth development, he said, the establishment of the West Africa Branch carries important and far-reaching strategic significance. The Center will provide quality teacher training resources, promote educational innovation and regional cooperation, and support the transformation of all 49 colleges of education in Ghana into degree-awarding universities. Prof. Atintono emphasized that this cooperation is a strategic initiative with practical developmental value and pledged full support for the implementation of the Center‘s work so that it can generate a positive and lasting impact on teacher education development across West Africa.
Welcome Speech Delivered by Prof. Samuel Awinkene Atintono, Principal of Accra College of Education
In his remarks, Prof. Zhu Xudong, Dean of the FOE at BNU, stated that this cooperation marks a new stage in China-Africa collaboration in teacher education. He noted that both BNU and Accra College of Education were founded in 1902, sharing a deep historical legacy. Since its establishment in 2024, CATEC has set up the East African branch in Tanzania in 2025, successfully hosted the China-Africa Education Deans Forum in Ethiopia, conducted a summer school for Chinese and African preservice teachers, and actively built an online STEM education platform for African teachers, thereby continuously strengthening the foundation for cooperation. He emphasized that the establishment of the West Africa Branch Center will further promote regional teacher capacity building, policy dialogue, and the sharing of educational resources, while supporting teachers’ continuing professional development. Prof. Zhu stressed that the memorandum of understanding is not merely a document, but a commitment to cooperation. He expressed anticipation for working together to cultivate innovative and socially responsible teachers for the new era.
Speech by Prof. Zhu Xudong, Dean of the FOE-BNU
In her address, Prof. Smile Afua Gavua Dzisi, representative of the Minister of Education, Ghana, said that it was a great honor to cooperate with BNU. She noted that this partnership aims to strengthen Ghana‘s teacher education, expand international opportunities in the country’s education sector, and support teachers‘ professional development. She emphasized that this initiative reflects the Ghanaian government’s commitment to making teacher professional development a national priority. The quality of teachers and preservice preparation, she noted, is fundamental to effective teaching, and the establishment of this branch center will significantly improve teaching and learning outcomes across the country. She concluded by noting that this initiative is not only a partnership between two institutions but also a strategic partnership for the symbiotic development of Asia and Africa.
Speech by Prof. Smile Afua Gavua Dzisi, representative of the Minister of Education
Following the speeches, representatives from BNU and Accra College of Education jointly signed the MOU on establishing the West African branch of the CATEC.
representatives from BNU and Accra College of Education jointly signed the MOU
Group Photo of Representatives
Subsequently, representatives from both institutions jointly unveiled the plaque for the West African branch and visited its new office, marking the official establishment of the branch.
Unveiling Ceremony and Visit to the Office of West African branch
After the unveiling ceremony, the BNU delegation held a working meeting with the Principal, Council members, and faculty of Accra College of Education to exchange in-depth views on the future construction and development of the branch.
Group Photo of the working meeting Between Representatives of Both Institutions
The engagement continued that afternoon as the delegation conducted training sessions for more than 40 local in-service primary and secondary school teachers and over 30 teacher educators. Dr. Zhao Yuchi, Executive Director of INRULED, led a session on “School-Based Teacher Professional Development”, sharing China’s experiences in teaching Research. Dr. Wang Kai, Lecturer at the Faculty of Education of Beijing Normal University and Deputy Director of the Institute of Digital and Intelligent Education, delivered a thematic sharing session on the application of generative artificial intelligence in the classroom. Through live tool demonstrations and case studies, he provided practical pathways for AI-enabled instruction. Ms. Liu Tianyi, Programme Coordinator of INRULED, conducted a workshop on gender-responsive pedagogy, utilizing scenario simulations and classroom analysis to help educators foster gender equality and build inclusive learning environments.
Lecture Delivered by Dr. Zhao Yuchi, Dr. Wang Kai & Liu Tianyi
On April 28, the BNU delegation visited three local schools: the Demonstration School Attached to Accra College of Education, Madina SDA Basic School, and Achimota Senior High School. Through discussions and interactions with principals, teachers, and students, the delegation gained insights into Ghana's teacher and educational development needs.
BNU Delegation visited the Demonstration School Attached to Accra College of Education
BNU Delegation visited the Madina SDA Basic School
BNU Delegation visited Achimota Senior High School
This visit marks a significant step in the implementation of BNU's global development strategy, deepening educational cooperation between BNU and Africa within the framework of the Global Teacher Development Center, advancing the work of the CATEC in West Africa, expanding partnerships, and laying a solid foundation for future in-depth exchanges and cooperation.