On March 19, 2020, Peking University President Hao Ping held discussion with Qatar University President Hassan Rashid Al-Derham about enhancing the collaboration between PKU and QU in the context of fighting against COVID-19, during a video conference held between experts and faculty members from both universities.

During the opening remarks, President Hao Ping expressed on PKU’s willingness to offer support to QU during the process of fighting against COVID-10, hoping that the online meeting will be a platform for the two universities to overcome the common challenges brought by the novel coronavirus. Hao Ping emphasized that Peking University attaches great importance to strengthen cooperation with QU in different areas through the State of Qatar Chair in Middle Eastern Studies (QCMES-PKU).

From his side, President Al-Derham expressed on his gratitude toward PKU’s support for QU, hoping to strengthen the ties between the two universities. Speaking highly of PKU’s efforts in the prevention and control of COVID-19, Al-Derham noted that QU is hoping to benefit from China and PKU’s experience.

Then the professors and experts from the two universities shared opinions on issues related to the prevention, control and treatment of the epidemic.

During the meeting, the two sides also decided to establish the Joint Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control.

Zhan Qimin, Executive Vice President of PKU and President of Peking University Health Science Center， Wang Bo, Vice President of PKU, Xia Hongwei, Director of Office of International Relations, PKU, Ning Qi, Dean of School of Foreign Languages, PKU, Fu Zhiming, Vice Dean of SFL-PKU, Wu Bingbing, Chair Professor of QCMES-PKU, as well as Dr. Darwish Al-Emadi, Chief Strategy and Development Officer of QU, Dr. Khaled Al-Khater, Vice President of QU, Mr. Cesar Wazen Director of International Affairs Office of QU, also attended the meeting.