North Campus, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, May 25th, 2022 ：It has been 30 years (1992-2022) since our school first cooperated with University of Central Lancashire in Britain. Recently, there was an online celebration between the two schools to celebrate this special moment. Shi Youqi, Principal and Secretary of the Party Committee of GDUFS; Jiao Fangtai, Vice-Principal of GDUFS; Graham Baldwin, Principal of the University of Central Lancashire; and Ruth Connor, Vice-Principal of the University of Central Lancashire, were among those who attended the celebration.
Scenes of the celebration
Shi Youqi spoke about the beginning of cooperation between the two schools. He said that with the inspiration of remarks given by Deng Xiaoping during his inspection tour of South China 30 years ago, representatives of Lancashire decided to visit GDUFS to discuss the program of the cooperation between GDUFS and University of Central Lancashire. Together, they created a new pattern of jointly cultivating international talents, together setting a model of training programs for Chinese students who want to study abroad. 30 years have passed; a new generation of talents has been created. Looking back on the past 30 years, we can see not only glorious times but also important people: our teachers, students and alumnus. It was their efforts that forged this brilliant course of international education between the two schools. Looking forward to the future, GDUFS will continue to undertake the new responsibilities of a new era. Finally, Shi Youqi toasted to the further successes of the joint ventures between GDUFS and University of Central Lancashire.
Oration of Shi you qi
Graham Baldwin said he thinks highly of the achievements of cooperation between GDUFS and University of Central Lancashire. This cooperation program between the two schools has been supported by the governments of China and Britain, which together have provided a platform for students to communicate and study. The two schools have cultivated over 2000 excellent students. More than 120 GDUFS teachers have visited Lancashire for a scholarly exchange, and more than 200 Lancashire students have visited GDUFS and Guangzhou through the “Journey to the East” program. Lancashire has been sending foreign teachers to GDUFS for many years in order to provide a high-quality education for students. The cooperation program between GDUFS and Lancashire has developed successfully through 30 years of hard work; they have cooperated with each other in many subjects such as business, journalism, technology, music, and sports.
Oration of Graham Baldwin
Jiao Fangtai; Huang Jianhua, the former Principal of GDUFS; Chen Linhan, former Vice-Principal and education supervisor of International College of GDUFS; and Huang Weixin, former Dean of the International Business Management Faculty, also spoke at the event. Liang Xuehong, Dean of the International College; Yang Wenhui, Vice-Dean of International College; representatives of the faculty; representatives of alumnus; and Gu Xuan, secretary general of the Alumni Association of the International College, also shared their positive feelings towards the history of cooperation between the two universities.