The 2023 Spring Semester Reception for foreign experts was held at Hongkou Campus of Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) on the evening of February 17th. University Council Chair Jiang Feng, President Li Yansong, special guest Professor Yang Jiemian, 26 international expert representatives from 19 countries, and representatives from faculty members attended the reception. Mao Xiaohong, Executive Director of Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, hosted the event.
In the opening remarks, Li Yansong expressed his heartfelt thanks to the international experts who have overcome all difficulties caused by the pandemic during the past three years and have been committed to teaching and academic research online and offline. He also pointed out that foreign experts are an indispensable part of the SISU faculty, and have played an important role in teaching and scientific research. He expected them to make greater contributions in the fields of talent cultivation, discipline development, scientific research, and cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries in the future.
After that, a short video entitled “Honoring the Past and Inspiring the Future — Foreign Experts at SISU” reviewed the time foreign experts spent in teaching, researching, and living in SISU since 1949, with precious old photos recording their participation in the development of SISU at different historical stages. When Betty Barr and Steve Kulich, foreign professors of two generations, appeared in the video, warm applause erupted from the audience.
Nine newly hired foreign experts then introduced themselves and expressed their expectations for teaching and doing research at SISU. The school leaders presented them with the university badge.
The representative among them, associate professor Braden Lindstrom from the United States, shared his father’s story with China and his own experience of studying and teaching in China since he came in the 1980s. He said that he was very lucky, “Since then, I had fallen in love with China and its university campuses.”
The reception also invited Professor Yang Jiemian, a renowned scholar of international relations, to interpret the report of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. He gave an in-depth and easy-to-understand introduction to the main idea of the report, focusing on “one central task, two-step strategic plan, three stages, four features and five necessities”. He said that if foreign experts want to gain a deeper understanding of China and the world, they need to have more comprehensive and thorough knowledge of all aspects of China. At the same time, China also needs to listen to the voices of the outside world. “The voice of supporters gives us encouragement, while attacks of opponents enable us to develop in a more steady and balanced manner.” Foreign experts listened with great interest and took photos to record Professor Yang’s wonderful interpretation.
As a special session, Jiang Feng presented a certificate to Professor Steve Kulich for his 30 years of service. Professor Kulich expressed his heartfelt thanks to SISU for its continued support. He said, “China is my home while SISU is the most lovely and warm part of this home.”
In the end, Jiang Feng once again expressed his gratitude to the foreign experts present and to every foreign expert who has been committed to teaching and research at SISU. He hoped that everyone would better understand the Chinese people and China through Professor Yang Jiemian’s report and Braden Lindstrom’s sharing. He also looked forward to making greater contributions to the development of SISU with all foreign experts together.
During the reception, Liu Yang from Information Technology Center played a traditional Chinese instrument, guqin. And Du Yuting, a student from the School of Chinese Studies and Exchange, performed folk dance, with Li Yanyun accompanying by the erhu. All their performances brought foreign experts an authentic taste of traditional Chinese culture.
