Press-release Delegation of the Odessa National I. I. Mechnikov University paid a visit to the sister city Qingdao, People's Republic of China
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Press-release Delegation of the Odessa National I. I. Mechnikov University paid a visit to the sister city Qingdao, People's Republic of China. The Odessa National I. I. Mechnikov University started preparing first-rate experts for China in 1948 by accepting first Chinese students under the direction of Central Committee of China Communist Party one month before the official proclamation of People's Republic of China. Since the end of the 40-s till the beginning of the 60-s several dozens of students successfully obtained education in ONU. Some of them afterwards reached high positions in PRC, among which madam Ju Li Lan, the deputy Minister of chemicals sector in China in 90-s. Nowadays students from 34 countries study in the I. I. Mechnikov ONU, more than 200 of them are the citizens of PRC. ONU successfully cooperates with many Chinese universities in different fields of science and higher education. Such cooperation demands periodic meetings with Chinese partners to discuss joint projects and plans for the future. The delegation of the Odessa National I. I. Mechnikov University, headed by the rector professor V. A. Smyntyna paid a return visit to Odessa’s sister city Qingdao for the term of 10.03.09-16.03.09. They met with city leaders and university partners. During the meeting with the rector of the Technical University named after Qiushi they analyzed the results of Cooperation agreement, signed in 2007. It involves collective bachelor trainings in the number of disciplines and teaching students from China in ONU. The parties noted with satisfaction that Basic Center of co-education is opened and efficiently functions in China University, and in September of 2008 their first students arrived in ONU. The I. I. Mechnikov ONU have been carrying out collective bachelor trainings with the universities of PRC for 7 years. First 30 bachelors graduated from ONU in July, 2006. During the meeting with the rector of Qingdao University, the leading university in the region, they not only discussed the agreements, earlier signed by the universities, but also drew up new collective projects. One of these projects is to open Institute of Chinese culture named after Confucius in order to unite cultures of our nations. It is remarkable that the Secretary of the PRC Embassy in Ukraine got in touch with the delegation during their stay in Qingdao. The Secretary informed that the Embassy supports the will of two universities to open such center in ONU. It was a pleasant surprise for delegation members when Qingdao University senate decided to confer professor V. A. Smyntyna the rank of Honorary Professor of this university. Professional communication between two rectors, prominent scientists in physics, was also very important for further cooperation. Qingdao city council held a reception in honor of the delegation. Vice mayor mister U-Chanin visited ONU in September of 2008 during his visit in Odessa. During the reception he highly appreciated the cooperation between ONU and Chinese universities and claimed that the city council has made decision to support the project of ONU and Qingdao University to create Institute of Chinese culture named after Confucius in ONU. During the visit many meetings were held between ONU delegation and representatives of scientific and educational institutions in Qingdao and region. They were dedicated to the establishment of new cooperation. At present time the I. I. Mechnikov ONU maintains scientific, academic and cultural cooperation with 140 universities of the world. Qingdao is a sister city of Odessa since April 24, 1993. It is one of the largest resort cities of China, situated on the slope of similarly named mountain on the southern end of Shandong Peninsula on the Yellow Sea. Qingdao occupies the area of 5900 square kilometers; its population is 3,5 million people. Confucius institutes compose the global network of Chinese cultural and educational centers created by Chinese National Committee in order to promote Chinese culture and language abroad. More than 120 Confucius institutes are operating in 50 countries of the world now. The aim of these institutes is to strengthen friendship and understanding between China and other countries via spread of information about culture, language, economy and social life of China. The important aspects of the work of Confucius Institute are to set up Chinese language and cultural courses, to carry out Chinese language testing, to arrange training in China, to hold competitions and to promote sinology research. Translated by Masha Davydenko Press Service The Odessa National I.I. Mechnikov University 723-84-13 www.news.onu.edu.ua e-mail: ou_gazeta@onu.edu.ua |
