Lingnan Normal University News Center: On the afternoon of October 31, Mr. David Fuller, Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Lady Mayoress Ms. Leza Tremorin, and Mr. Ionchun Choi, Chairman of Portsmouth Chinese Association (PCA) visited Lingnan Normal University (LNU) in the company of Deputy Director Mr. Xie Bing and Vice Consultant Ms. Lin Li of Zhanjiang Foreign Affairs Bureau. Dai Shu, Vice President of LNU, met with the 24 guests in the International Conference Hall.
Dai first extended a warm welcome to the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Mr. David Fuller and his companion. Then, he introduced LNU from five aspects: optimal location, long history, large scale, high quality, and extensive communication. According to Dai, known as a “Hundred-Year Normal University”, LNU has cultivated high-quality teachers for primary and secondary schools, making many contributions to the education cause. He expressed the hope that more exchanges and cooperation will be carried out between LNU and Portsmouth, especially the University of Portsmouth, and the two sides will present more platforms for teachers and students to conduct scientific research and academic exchanges, thus making greater contributions to the China-UK cooperation.
Mr. David Fuller expressed his sincere gratitude for the warm welcome. He said that he felt honored to have fruitful exchanges and cooperation with LNU. He also thanked Dai Shu for visit in Portsmouth in June and the student representatives who attended the English Language and Culture Summer School at the University of Portsmouth in July. Mr. David Fuller introduced the University of Portsmouth that ranks among top ten in terms of student satisfaction in the UK. Portsmouth is a seaside city with a long history, and he hoped that his visit will strengthen the friendship between the two sides and benefit more teachers and students.
Mr. Ionchun Choi, Chairman of the Portsmouth Chinese Association, pointed out that the students who went to the University of Portsmouth for summer studies are proficient in English, and have made huge progress in the two-week study in the UK. He added, the study enables the students to improve their self-confidence, enhance their ability to live independently, broaden their horizons, and gain a deeper understanding of British culture. It was a valuable learning experience. It is hoped that more students will be involved in the program in the future.
Student representatives, He Jiawen from Class 2, Grade 17, Preschool Education Major, School of Educational Science, and Long Siying from Class 2, Grade 17, Fine Arts Major, School of Fine Arts and Design, shared their experience of studying in the UK. They said that they were honored to be sent to the University of Portsmouth for the two-week study, which enabled them to enhance their confidence, improve their oral English, make friends from different countries and understand different cultures. They said they would study hard and strive for greater progress.
After the meeting, the two sides exchanged souvenirs and had a group photo. Chaired by Ms. Xiao Jianchun, Deputy Director of International Exchange & Cooperation Office, the meeting gathered Lord Mayor of Portsmouth’s Delegation, members of Portsmouth Chinese Association, Zhanjiang Foreign Affairs Bureau and relevant LNU personnel.
