18 henanspecial FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2012 DAILY Opening-up is the motto of centennial institution

By Shi Baoyin in Zhengzhou

With the success of the IAUP/ AUAP Internationalization of Higher Education Forum held at University and the celebra- tion of ’s 100th anniversary, the school’s achieve- ment and practices in international education has been put under the spotlight. Formerly known as the Prepa- ratory School for Further Study in Europe and America, Henan University was founded in 1912 in , Henan province, as one of the three earliest schools pre- paring students for overseas study at the beginning of 20th century, along with Nanyang Public School PHOTOS BY Xiang Mingchao / China Daily in Shanghai (now Shanghai Jiao The IAUP/AUAP Internationalization of Higher Education Forum in Henan University in Kaifeng of Central China’s Henan province earlier this week. Tong University) and Tsinghua Xuetang in (now ). Since the very beginning of its cre- ation, the school has chosen to open to the outside world and to forge ahead with international education. Global forum underscores Lin Boxiang, founder of the Henan Preparatory School for Further Study in Europe and America, who had seen a huge gap between the education in Henan and that of coastal prov- Henan University progress inces shortly after the abolition of imperial examinations, could not wait to make urgent appeals By Shi Baoyin in Zhengzhou for the establishment of new type [email protected] of schools that offered advanced Western education. The IAUP/AUAP Internationalization of Higher By hiring foreign teachers and Education Forum has been held in Kaifeng, Henan introducing Western curriculums province, and presidents and scholars from more and teaching materials, Henan Pre- than 20 countries and regions were attending. paratory School for Further Study in The three-day forum starting from Sept 23, Europe and America became a base themed by “Collaboration and Innovation for a for inland student to study abroad. Bright Future”, is hosted by the International Asso- Jiuzhang, a famous scientist ciation of University Presidents and the Association and meteorologist and an acade- of Universities of Asia and the Pacific, and orga- mician of the Chinese Academy of nized by Henan University. Sciences, was enrolled in the school Prasart Suebka, AUAP president, delivered a in 1921. The intense academic atmo- speech at the opening ceremony. sphere and English teaching class “The forum crowns the efforts that Henan Uni- gave him a solid foundation for his versity has exerted to internationalization. And future remarkable achievements. the fact that Henan University has international After years of study at Berlin Uni- students from more than 10 countries across Asia, versity in Germany under profes- America and Europe illustrates a growing trend of sor H. Von Ficker, he came back ‘Asia serving Asia’s higher education needs’, which and worked on Chinese manmade represents wonderful opportunities for further satellites, greatly contributing to internationalization,” he said. China’s first manmade satellite, IAUP was founded in the UK nearly 50 years Dongfanghong 1. ago as a volunteer organization of presidents, The international education of rectors and vice-chancellors of universities from Henan University has come to a new around the world. The association currently has stage since China carried out the more than 400 members from 70 countries. reform and opening-up. Lou Yuangong, president of Henan University, Clockwise In the early 1980s, Li Runtian, the said that in the nearly 100 years since its founding, • Xu Jichao, vice- then-president of Henan Univer- Henan University has provided quality education governor of Henan sity, led a delegation to the United to more than 400,000 students, and made great province, makes States for the first time, providing contributions to cultural inheritance and social the keynote speech a new way for the school’s inter- development. Among the graduates, there are 56 at the IAUP/AUAP national exchanges and education academicians and members of the Chinese Acad- Internationalization of cooperation. emy of Social Sciences. Higher Education Forum. Guan Aihe, Party secretary of Xu Jichao, vice-governor of Henan province, • Guan Aihe, Party Henan University, said that although said that in recent years, the provincial govern- secretary of Henan the school’s names have changed ment has adopted a scientific development con- University, talks with several times, its tradition of foster- guests in the forum. cept for overall development of economy and • Lou Yuangong, ing talents and opening to the world society. A new Henan is on its rise along with the president of Henan has never changed. reform and opening-up to the outside world. University, receives gifts Lou Yuangong, president of Wide and deep international cooperation helps from guests attending Henan University, said that the Henan boost its economic development. And the forum. university will make full use of the opening-up to the outside world in terms of edu- • Neal King, president of platform of the International Asso- cation remains a pivotal element in the reform, IAUP, makes a speech at ciation of University Presidents and he added. the opening ceremony. the Association of Universities of As one of the earliest comprehensive universities Asia and the Pacific, and get more founded in China, Henan University spared no financial support for a variety of effort to accomplish the mission of higher educa- international academic exchanges tion in the past 100 years. and cooperation. It offers substantial support for the develop- On June 20, 2002, Henan Univer- ment of economy and society. In a government sity signed an agreement on coop- document, it is clearly pointed out that the cen- erative education with CIE Inter- tral government is “in favor of building Henan national Education Group of the University into one of the first-class universities United Kingdom, making a histori- in China”. cal breakthrough in a cooperative To improve the quality of Henan University, running of the schools. the provincial government has formulated and On Aug 16, 2002, the Interna- implemented the “Reinvigoration Plan of the One- tional Education Center of Henan Century-Old Henan University”. University, the first comprehen- The provincial government will continue to sup- sive international education center port the joint construction of Henan University among all schools in Henan prov- and speed up the process of building it into the top ince, was established, and dedi- school in China. cated itself to cultivating foreign- The sponsorship of the forum is of profound exchange students and domestic significance to Henan University’s centurial devel- students in pursuit of further study opment. It benefits the international involvement overseas, a process that speeds up of Henan province in terms of international higher “Henan University is a “I am sure the coop- “We love Henan Universi- “We hope that wider the internationalization of coopera- education. tive education. Xia Bing, director of cultural and educational great and respectful insti- eration provided by ty. It’s just like home away majors and increasing The International Education Col- experts department of the State Administration of tution and our school has this forum will produce from home. We’d like numbers will be gradually lege of Henan University was set Foreign Experts Affairs, said that Henan Univer- up afterward and worked with St. sity has achieved great success in the introduction partnership with Henan tremendous opportunities to bring our students to achieved in the coopera- Petersburg University of Russia, and employment of foreign experts. And it has University for more than for the universities here Henan University because tive programs as well as Victoria University of Australia, paid great attention to the introduction of foreign 10 years. It is great to have and bring them benefits in we think it’s a great place the exchanges among and Anhalt University of Applied talents and intelligence and the exchange of inter- Sciences of Germany, with a total national talents. cooperative programs the long run.” to learn Chinese cultures.” students and faculties.” 9,320 students. Henan University has gained great achievement with Henan University.” F. King Alexander, president Scott Bierman, president of Einar Kretzler, vice- of California State University, Beloit College president of Anhalt University of on high-level research, subject construction and George Pappas, chancellor of Chang Cheng, Wang Huixian and Long Beach Applied Sciences international cooperation and exchanges on per- Victoria University Fu Xiaoke contributed to this story.