November 2017, UNESCO-ICHEI sent delegates to visit partner universities in Egypt, Ethiopia and Djibouti, to conduct field research on the Smart Classroom Project, and to inspect site and equipment for the classroom. The delegates were joined by representatives from Weidong Cloud Education Group which is strategic partner of UNESCO-ICHEI and sponsor of the Project.In Ain Shams University of Egypt, delegate of UNESCO-ICHEI met with Professor Singab, vice president of the university, and visited Faculty of Engineering to discuss on the Project with responsible staff.

Dr. MA Jinyuan (delegate of ICHEI) meeting with university staff of Ain Shams University

In Addis Ababa University of Ethiopia, delegate of UNESCO-ICHEI met with leaders of the university, ICT related staff, etc., discussed on the Project and other potential cooperation. The delegate also met with ICT director of Ministry of Education (MOE) to popularization of the Project in other universities.

Dr. SONG Hang (delegate of ICHEI) meeting with Dr. Jeilu (president of Addis Ababa University) and other university staff

In University of Djibouti, the delegate met with president, ICT related staff, etc., visited servers and videoconferencing classroom of the university.

Dr. SONG Hang (delegate of ICHEI) meeting with Djama (president of University of Djibouti) and other university staff

UNESCO-ICHEI will sign strategic framework agreement with the project universities and Weidong Cloud Education Group, and will make full efforts to complete the Project within the first half of 2018.UNESCO-ICHEI will coordinate and facilitate cooperation between Weidong and the universities, guide and supervise implementation of the Project, assure duty fulfillment of the three parties, and provide supports to the universities on usage, operation and maintenance of the classroom together with Weidong at later stage.The Smart Classroom Project is a significant project under building "Digital Education Link" in countries along the Maritime Silk Road by UNESCO-ICHEI, and will build smart classrooms in 6 top universities as partner universities in 6 project countries in Asia and Africa (Cambodia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Ethiopia and Djibouti) respectively. Major functions of the smart classroom are: building complete learning managing system, expanding usable educational resources, realizing distant education between main campus and branch campuses, and live broadcasting/rebroadcasting of courses.