To help international students in China better understand and appreciate Chinese culture, and to equip graduates with the skills to share Chinese stories and amplify Chinese voices globally, Beijing University of Chemical Technology(BUCT) hosted a themed lecture titled "Telling the Stories of China Well" and a graduation education event for international students on the afternoon of June 24 at the conference center of the Chaoyang Campus. Wang Feng, Vice President of BUCT, attended and spoke at the event. Invited guests included David Symington, Vice President of the China Story Research Institute of the China International Innovation Association, and Li Jinghua. Yu Yue, Vice Dean of the School of International Education, served as the host.
David Symington delivered a lecture titled How Can International Students in China Tell the Stories of China Well. He referenced classical texts to illustrate the charm of Chinese civilization and, in conjunction with contemporary China's development, provided detailed guidance on how to effectively tell the stories of China in the context of the new era. The students found the lecture highly beneficial and expressed their eagerness to apply these insights to their future studies and careers. Symington and Li Jinghua presented the book Telling the Stories of China in English to the graduates. Yan Hong, Vice Dean of the School of International Education, awarded Symington a letter of appointment as a mentor, in gratitude for his support and assistance in the Telling the Stories of China Well initiative.
A farewell ceremony for the 2024 international students followed. The opening memory video evoked warmth and touching moments. Graduate representatives then presented a micro-lecture on Telling the Stories of China Well, sharing heartfelt experiences and expressing gratitude to their teachers and deep attachment to their alma mater. They conveyed that this study abroad experience had deepened their understanding and love of Chinese culture. Chen Chang, a representative of the tutors, encouraged the graduates to continue innovating, striving, persevering, and reaching new heights in scientific research.
Wang Feng presented the graduates with Telling China’s Story Well BUCT Micro-Publicity Team Member certificates and shared a heartfelt message. He warmly congratulated the graduates and extended his best wishes, outlining three key expectations: persist in spreading friendship and building a better future, innovate and keep pace with the times, and embrace openness and tolerance. He hopes that international students will become bridges and messengers for cultural exchanges between China and other countries, bringing Chinese culture and spirit to all parts of the world, and contributing to promoting people-to-people exchanges and building a community with a shared future for humanity.
Li Qifang, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of International Education, introduced the interim results and future work plans for the School's Three Camps and One Base initiative (Science and Technology Innovation Camp, Chinese Language Improvement Camp, Practice Forging Camp, and Student International Exchange Base). Feng Jianghong and Yan Hong presented appointment letters to the instructors of the Three Camps and One Base for 2024.
The Telling China’s Story Well themed lecture and the 2024 International Students Graduation Education Activity not only provided international students with a platform to showcase themselves, exchange ideas, and learn, but also allowed them to deeply appreciate the profoundness and infinite charm of Chinese culture. In the future, these international youths will continue to tell China’s story, spread Chinese voices, and promote Chinese culture worldwide with deep cultural affection and firm belief. BUCT aims to create diverse paths for a comprehensive understanding of China, focusing on social practice and integrated education, enhancing the ability of international students to tell China’s story, and cultivating more builders and successors of a community with a shared future for humanity.