The 8th BRICS Young Scientists Forum was hosted in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa from 31 July to 2 August. Professor Lu Yuanping of the School of Finance and Taxation, Deputy Director of the Department of Research of ZUEL, Executive Director of IIDPF, was invited to attend and give a keynote report, which is the first time for ZUEL faculty members to participate in forums related to BRICS meetings.
The BRICS Young Scientists Forum was established in 2015 as an important part of the BRICS Ministerial Conference on Science, Technology and Innovation in conjunction with the Heads of State diplomacy and in support of the conference, and has been successfully held for seven sessions. The Forum aims to provide a platform for outstanding young BRICS scientists to exchange views on addressing change and building sustainable research partnerships and networks, and to promote dialogue on scientific and technological cooperation among BRICS researchers and countries for inclusive and sustainable development of societies.
The theme of this year's Forum is "Building BRICS-Africa Partnership for Joint Accelerated Growth, Sustainable Development and Inclusive Multilateralism". As an invited representative of young scientists, Professor Lu Yuanping delivered a keynote speech on the topic of Distance Learning in Overcoming Socio-Economic Barriers in Africa: A Study of the Role of Distance Learning in Overcoming Socio-Economic Barriers in Africa at the conference.
The report highlights the fact that Africa has made substantial progress in recent years in terms of enrolling children in school, but still faces enormous challenges in the area of education. The traditional model of education is constrained by multiple factors, including geographical, economic and social factors, and inequality of resources and limited access to education in Africa is particularly acute in the context of large income and wealth disparities. The report systematically analyses the triple challenges that Africa faces in education, as well as the advantages and new opportunities brought by distance learning platforms, and provides inspiration for the development of education in Africa in the light of China's successful experience in developing online education.
Upholding the BRICS spirit of openness, inclusiveness, cooperation and win-win situation, the BRICS countries have strengthened unity and cooperation, advocated fairness and justice, pursued common development, and expanded their influence, and have become a major platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries around the world. The convening of this year's BRICS Young Scientists Forum is of great significance in promoting in-depth cooperation among BRICS countries in the fields of education, science and technology, and in building a talent pool for sustainable development and innovation cooperation.