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"May I say then it is the integration of a foreign system of modern education with Chinese cultural traditions and contemporary realities? It seems to combine the best of both worlds."
---Wang Yang
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Guangdong Party Secretary Wang Yang made a special visit to BNU-HKBU United International College (UIC) on April 23, 2008 and affirmed the innovative system adopted by UIC in their search for a new model for higher education in China. He was accompanied by high officials of Zhuhai, including Party Secretary Gan Lin, Mayor Zhong Shijian, and Deputy Mayor Deng Qunfang.
Professor Ng Ching Fai, President of UIC and Hong Kong Baptist University, was present to welcome the distinguished guests and presented to Secretary Wang a Memorial Album marking the inauguration and growth of the College. In a briefing session at the new Multimedia Center, Professor Kwok Siu Tong, Executive Vice-President, touched on the innovative educational model at UIC and was intercepted with great interest by the Secretary, "What would you say is the biggest characteristic at UIC?"
"First, UIC adopts the administrative and academic system of Hong Kong Baptist University, together with the curriculum and faculty committee system. English is the medium of instruction and Whole Person Education and Four-Point Education are some distinct features. We cherish a globalized campus but retains our ethnic and cultural roots," Professor Kwok replied.
"May I say then it is the integration of a foreign system of modern education with Chinese cultural traditions and contemporary realities?" continued our guest. "It seems to combine the best of both worlds."
Secretary Wang enquired how the College obtained its funding and staff, and the graduate placement problems it was going to face in a couple of years. Would they have an advantage over other graduates? "With the innovation at UIC and with its rapid expansion and development, there is a tendency to give it the benefit of the doubt,'' observed Professor Chen Wenbo, former President of Beijing Normal University and a member of the founding team of UIC.
Professor Kwok showed the guests the construction area that was designated students dormitories. It was to be a cultural-artistic village in which human personality and the environment are harmonized -- a concept that surprised the guests at first, but which won their approval.
Further the group came upon some student activity on the grounds of the Experiential Development Program and Secretary Wang struck up a conversation with some students. He asked if they were accustomed to the English speaking environment and how they enjoyed college life in Zhuhai in general. The students answered it was tough in the beginning, but, with sustained effort in English immersion they seemed to be getting along fine, and, that life at UIC in Zhuhai was quite pleasant.
While saying goodbye to his hosts, Secretary Wang indicated he was intrigued by the things he saw at UIC. He said he would get together with Chairman Xu Jialu of UIC and extend a joint invitation to the officials at the Ministry of Education to make an official visit to UIC sometime in the near future.
Photographer: Chen Yunshi;Che Na;Feng Lei;Li Chunhui
Cameraman: Chen Mengxing;Xiao Lulu;Lü Xiaodong;Feng Lei
Media and Communication Centre
[香港明报] 广东省委书记汪洋访联合国际学院 赞结合国情国外体制
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[珠海特区报] 率先探索建设生态文明发展道路争当我省科学发展示范市
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[香港文汇报] 走出一条不一样的道路
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[珠海广播电视台]中共中央政治局委员、广东省委书记汪洋在珠海考察侧记
