On Nov. 30th, the Launching Ceremony of SDU-ANU Joint Science College (JSC) was held at Shandong University, Weihai (SDUW). Prof. Fan Liming, President of Shandong University (SDU), Mr. Zhang Haibo, Deputy Party Secretary of CPC Weihai Municipal Committee, Mayor of Weihai, and Prof. Mike Calford, Provost of Australian National University, attended the ceremony and addressed respectively; Ms. Brooke Hartigan, Australian Minister-Counselor to China, conveyed her congratulations via video clip.
The ceremony was hosted by Prof. Liu Jianya, Vice President of SDU, and President of SDUW. Prof. Kiaran Kirk, Dean of ANU College of Science, Mr. Roger Li, President of Australian Education Management Group (AEMG), Ms. Wang Jing, Director General of AEMG, Mr. Yin Zuosheng, Secretary of Party Working Committee of SDUW, Mr. Sang Xiaomin, Member of CPC Standing Committee of SDU, Director of Publicity Department of SDU, and Prof. Jia Lei, Assistant to the President of SDU, were also present at the ceremony.
Prof. Fan said that SDU has actively served the overall situation of China’s opening-up to the outside world in recent years with an aim to pool top-tier experts, cultivate first-class talents, and produce world-leading achievements; internationalization has been placed as a key move and breakthrough in promoting the university's historic transformation "From Large (in scale) to Strong (in academic competitiveness)". She emphasized that the establishment of SDU-ANU JSC, a milestone event in Shandong University's advancement of the Sino-Foreign Joint Education, is a fresh achievement made based on the long-standing friendship and deepened pragmatic cooperation between the two universities, as well as an active response to the call of undertaking responsibility and meeting demands of the time. She also pointed out that SDU will give full play of the positive role of JSC while finding out our own model of high-quality development of Sino-Foreign Joint Education, and create our unique path to talent cultivation. She called for efforts from both sides to build a high ground for talent-cultivating and international education, strive to help promote the people-to-people exchanges between China and Australia, set a good example for international cooperation in higher education, and make positive contributions to promoting exchanges among civilizations and to building a community of shared future for mankind.
Mr. Zhang conveyed his congratulation to the establishment of JSC. He said that the newest achievement of the partnership between SDU and ANU is not only an exploration into the innovative education system, but also a strong evidence for the development contributed by university-government cooperation. He extended his hope that JSC would give full play to the advantages and resources of SDU and ANU, and provide continuous new momentum and impetus for the construction of Weihai. He pointed out that Weihai Municipal Government would work continuously with SDU to build a community of shared future for the city and the university, and would also provide stronger support for the university's development in Weihai and offer assistance in realizing SDU's centenary goal of "building the university to be a world-class one with Chinese characteristics", while advancing side by side with the construction of a “Fine City, Happy Weihai”.
Prof. Mike Calford said that ANU and SDU have been working together for many years, and JSC stands for an exciting step forward in the longstanding and successful partnership. ANU will work together with SDU to contribute to the development of JSC and conduct quality research and quality teaching. Prof. Mike encouraged JSC students to learn from wonderful academics of SDU and ANU and make their contributions to the society.
Ms. Brooke Hartigan said that the educational cooperation between China and Australia is of great importance in strengthening the bilateral relations of the two countries. She wished that SDU and ANU could deepen their educational collaboration and offer brand-new teaching modes with high quality, through which the scientific research ability of both parties could be enhanced greatly.
Mr. Li reviewed the joint efforts made by SDU and ANU in promoting the establishment of JSC, and expressed his hope that JSC students could not only be the participants and practitioners of the Sino-Australian Cooperative Education Project, but also become the friendly messengers of cultural and educational exchanges between China and Australia. Prof. Paul Francis, Professor of the Research School of Physics of ANU, shared his teaching experience at JSC and described Chinese students as “keen and enthusiastic, curious and creative, wonderful and crazy, as well as a diverse bunch of young people with great passion and understanding on science”. JSC student representative Wang Jiguan shared her studying experience at JSC and said that she would take the opportunity to learn more and enrich herself.
At the ceremony, all the guests witnessed the launching of the SDU-ANU JSC. Later, a Symphony Concert was performed by SDUW Symphony Orchestra.
Relevant staff members from ANU International Strategy & Partnerships, ANU College of Science, the Research School of Chemistry, the Research School of Physics & Engineering, and the Research School of Biology, from AEMG, from Weihai Foreign Affairs Office, from SDU and SDUW, together with JSC faculty and student representatives, attended the ceremony.
