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Acting Vice-Chancellor of University of Otago Professor Helen Nicholson Visits Peking University
24/11/2023 --- Acting Vice-Chancellor of The University of Otago Professor Helen Nicholson visited Peking University, along with a delegation that included Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement) Professor Anthony Ballantyne and other senior colleagues.
On 24 November, 2023, Acting Vice-Chancellor of The University of Otago Professor Helen Nicholson paid a visit to Peking University and The New Zealand Center at Peking University with a delegation of her colleagues including Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement) Professor Anthony Ballantyne, University of Otago Council Member Mr. Malcolm Wong, Director, Development and Alumni Relations Office Ms. Shelagh Murray, Director of International Office Mr. Jason Cushen, and Market Manager ( Greater China and South Korea) of International Office Ms. Joyce Zhang.
From left to right:
Acting Vice Chancellor Helen Nicholson and her delegation were warmly welcomed by Deputy Director of PKU International Relations Office Dr. Zhou Manli, Director of New Zealand Center, Professor Liu Shusen, NZC Secretary A/Professor Liu Honghong and A/Professor Ma Naiqiang. The two sides had a productive meeting, the first of its kind with University of Otago leaders after the three-year pandemic is over.
At the meeting Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Nicholson and Dr. Zhou Manli recalled the development of the NZC since its establishment in 2007, and Dr. Zhou Manli acknowledged the significant support and contribution of all the eight NZ universities including University of Otago. Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Nicholson, Professor Ballantyne, Mr. Cushen, Professor Liu Shusen and A/Professor Liu Hongzhong shared their fond memories of their visits and working together prior to the pandemic. These include two study programmes at Otago attended by PKU students in 2012 and 2013, one of which was headed by A/Professor Liu Hongzhong.
The two sides having a meeting at Linhuxuan
Then an extensive discussion was followed on how to restart new collaboration between University of Otago and PKU. Some of the intensive short-term study programmes and student exchanges programmes could be prioritized for consideration. Dr. Zhou Manli introduced programmes and activities of the PKU Global Engagement Year (2023) and said that PKU welcomes Otago students to attend the annual PKU International Summer School. She also introduced PKU online science courses which will be offered to international students. Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Nicholson and her colleagues showed a strong interest in the above programme. Professor Nicholson also shared the Strategic Global Plan of Otago University and the possible areas for research cooperation between the two universities. These include agriculture innovation, animal breeding, food science and waste management. Professor Nicholson invited Dr. Zhou Manli to visit Otago at a convenient time to promote mutual collaboration.
Professor Ballantyne presenting books to the New Zealand Centre library
At the end of the meeting, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Engagement) Professor Anthony Ballantyne presented books as gifts to the New Zealand Centre library on behalf of University of Otago.
The books for the New Zealand Centre library
The books include New Zealand Nurses by Pamela Wood, Can’t Get There From Here by Sam van der Weerden, Next ( Poems 2016-2021) by Alan Roddick, At the Point of Seeing by Megan Kitching, and Letter to ´Oumuamua by James Norcliffe
The delegation pose by Weiming Lake at PKU with NZC colleagues |
