FALL 2015 ISSUE 7 SYSU World Publisher Office for Overseas Promotion, SYSU FALL 2015 Consultants Ling Wenhua Wu Xiaoyan CONTENTS EDITOR’S NOTE Editors Wu Jiawen Ian J. Heuer campus update 3 Thank you for reading this edition of SYSU World, the official English language news- Designers Ian J. Heuer 3 SYSU Opening Ceremonies Held letter for Sun Yat-sen University. Autumn Chen Jiayu 4 Performing Troupe Tours Russia has arrived in full force at SYSU, bringing 4 Chen Chunsheng Takes Office cool breezes and perfect weather. Having Special thanks to the Publicity Department 5 Cultural Exchange at Jiangkou H.S. finished celebrating Mid-autumn Festival of the SYSU Committee of the CPC, Wang 6 Business School Ranked Best Value and National Day, students, staff, and teach- Dongmei, and Jin Feng 6 Business School Welcomes Int’l Students ers are now settling into their routines as the 7 Performing Troupe Tours Confucius excitement of the new semester and the joy of Contact US Institutes in the Americas the holidays give way to the familiar rythyms of campus life in full swing. In this issue of Telephone +86 20 8411 1565 9 photo focus SYSU World, you can find a range of articles, Fax +86 20 8403 6860 images, and stories. In the Campus Update, Email [email protected] 11 da vinci: Robot surgeon you can read about events and activities on campus, including trips abroad by SYSU 13 in focus: SYSU during the performing troupes and international student Follow SYSU war of resistance activities in and beyond. You can also read more about recent discoveries by facebook.com/SYSUworld 17 Research Department SYSU researchers and a feature piece on the history of SYSU’s exodus to Yunnan Province 17 Outdoor Play Benefits Eyesight seventy years ago during World War II. At 17 Researchers Deconstruct Darwin’s the end of this issue, you can find our new @sysuworld Conundrum Student Voices column, as well as some short 18 Cancer Center Study in New England news bulletins on happenings in Guangzhou. Journal of Medicine For this issue, we the editors have decided to move in a new stylistic direction, focusing @sysuworld 19 AROUND GUANGZHOU on making SYSU World more attractive and accessible. We hope the changes are to 21 Student Corner your liking, and we hope that you contitnue to follow the latest developments at SYSU 21 Smiles, Selfies, and Culture in Zhaoqing in the newsletter, on our website, and on our 21 SYSU World Chinese Corner social media pages. If you have any feedback on the news you read here, don’t hesitate to contact us. Thank you, and happy reading! Cover Photo by Gu Jingli 辜景莉 CAMPUS UPDATE New School Year Inaguarated at SYSU Chen Chunsheng Takes Office as New Achievements in Social Sciences by Province twice and the with Opening Ceremonies Committee Secretary at SYSU first prize of the Award for Research Achievements in the Humanities On August 21, Opening Ceremo- students took a solemn oath: “I will uphold the chasteness and honor of On the afternoon of September Deputy Head of the Department of and Social Sciences by the Ministry nies for the 2015 academic year at remember Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s motto medicine. I will heal the wounded 18, 2015, at a meeting held in Sun History in 1991, Vice Dean of the of Education. He was granted the Sun Yat-sen University were held and shoulder the mission of the and rescue the dying, regardless of Yat-sen University, Professor Chen School of Humanities in 1994, and title of “Cross-Century Excellent on all four SYSU campuses. Nearly times; I will observe academic ethics, the hardships. I will always be in Chunsheng was appointed Secretary Dean of the School of Humanities Talent” and the “Award for Young 8,000 newly enrolled undergrad- advocating science and reason; I will earnest pursuit of better achieve- of the SYSU Party Committee. in 2000. In 2001 he was made Di- Teachers in Higher Education” by uate students and over 6,400 new respect my teachers, honor truth, ment. I will work all my life for the Mr. Zhong Haidong, Inspector rector of the Center for Historical the Ministry of Education. He was postgraduate students attended abide by the law, study diligently, development of the nation’s medical and Deputy Director of the Third Anthropology, a key research base selected as a “national candidate” of the ceremonies. SYSU President seek truth and innovate.” Led by enterprise as well as mankind’s Cadre Bureau of the Organization of humanities and social sciences, the New Century Top 100, 1,000 Luo Jun delivered an address at the Vice President Yu Minbin, the new physical and mental health.” Department of the CPC Central supported directly by the Ministry and 10,000 Talents Project by the opening ceremony. He stressed that medical students took the solemn Committee, announced the decision of Education. In March 2008 he Ministry of Personnel. SYSU students should follow the oath: “Health related, life entrusted. The attendees also included the of the Committee. The meeting was became Vice President of SYSU and university motto written by Dr. Sun The moment I step into the hal- university leaders Luo Jun, Chen chaired by SYSU President Luo Jun. a member of the Standing Commit- Professor Chen has lectured in uni- Yat-sen: “Study Extensively, En- lowed medical institution, I pledge Chunsheng, Yan Guangmei, Li Ping, tee of the SYSU Party Committee. versities in the U.S., the U.K., Swe- quire Accurately, Reflect Carefully, solemnly -- I will volunteer myself Li Mengfeng, Wei Minghai, Li Chen Chunsheng, a native of Jiexi, In March 2012 he was appointed den, Japan, Singapore, Russia, and Discriminate Clearly, Practice Ear- to medicine with love for my moth- Shanmin, Yu Minbin and Ma Jun; Guangdong Province, was born in Executive Deputy Secretary of the and Taiwan, and collab- nestly”. SYSU students should have erland and loyalty to the people. I Academician Qiang; Assistant Chenghai, Guangdong Province in SYSU Party Committee and Vice orated with researchers from these both ability and moral integrity, able will scrupulously abide by medical President Li Wenjun; and heads of August 1959. He graduated from President of SYSU. He was appoint- countries and regions. He completed to cultivate charisma and eager serve ethics, respect my teachers and dis- schools, departments and affiliated the Department of History at Sun ed Secretary of SYSU Party Com- his postdoctoral research at McGill their country. He hoped that the cipline myself. I will strive diligently hospitals. At the end of the ceremo- Yat-sen University in 1982 and ob- mittee in September 2015. University in Canada. He is a visit- students would cherish their time at for the perfection of technology and ny, all teachers and students sang the tained his doctorate in history from ing professor or academic consultant university and become pillars of the for all-round development of myself. University Anthem together. The Xiamen University in 1989. He is Professor Chen’s main research in more than 10 universities at home society. I am determined to strive diligently freshmen emerged eager to embark now a professor in the Department interests are in the teaching and and abroad.♦ to eliminate human suffering, en- on their new journies at SYSU.♦ of History at SYSU, holding concur- research of Chi- Prof. Li Shenglan encouraged the hance human health conditions and rent positions as Deputy Director of nese social and new students to take on new chal- the Ministry of Education Teaching economic history, lenges and pursue their life goals. Steering Committee for History, historical an- Prof. Zhang Zhian said that the stu- Deputy Director of the Ministry thropology and dents should be modest, self-reflec- of Education Steering Committee historiographical tive and enterprising in their pursuit for Liberal Arts Education in Col- theories. He has of knowledge. Prof. Zhai Zhenming leges and Universities, convenor of made considerable encouraged the new students to the Discipline (Chinese History) accomplishments learn rational thinking. Prof. Wang Appraisal Group of the Academic in the fields of Tinghuai hoped that the medical Degree Committee of the State cliometrics and students would become honest, con- Council, Vice President of ’s historical anthro- scientious and innovative medical Institute of History and President of pology, and won scientists and doctors. On behalf of the Guangdong Institute of History. the first prize of continuing students, Liang Yongye, Professor Chen was appointed the Award for Secretary Chen Chunsheng delivers remaks at a meeting. Danzhen Ciwang, Fan Hang and Yang Le gave speeches to welcome SYSU Performance Troupe Completes Three- and Painting, while the new students, and shared their students performed Chinese ethnic own experiences studying at SYSU. Stop Tour of Russian Universities singing and dancing and martial On behalf of the new students, arts, jointly presenting traditional Dai Ziwei, Yang Jing, Parediguli On September 20-26, 2015, the 14 postgraduate and undergraduate Chinese culture and arts to the Rus- Nueraihemaiti and Xu Bushu gave students’ culture and arts exchange students from different schools and sian audiences. These performances speeches expressing the joy they felt group of Sun Yat-sen University, departments at SYSU. promoted the communications and at becoming members of the SYSU together with the student art group exchanges between Chinese and community, and their determination of Jinan University, visited three The students staged shows at Mos- Russian university students and to study hard. universities in Russia. The SYSU cow State University, Russian New strengthened their friendship. The student group, led by Zheng Li University, and Saint Petersburg show was a great success, just as a At the ceremony, led by Vice from SYSU Youth Association and State University. SYSU students professor from the Faculty of Med- Deng Jie from the School of Inter- performed Guqin, Zither, Erhu, President Yan Guangmei, the new President Luo Jun addresses the Opening Ceremony. icine of Saint Petersburg State Uni- national Studies, was made up of Peking Opera, Chinese Calligraphy 3 SYSU WORLD \ FALL 2015 \ 4 CAMPUS UPDATE

versity said, “It’s the first group from Guangdong to give a performance in Saint Petersburg…every performer has The Business Page acted remarkably well”. This event aimed to respond to the call by Chinese and Russian leaders for or- Sun Yat-sen Business School’s Masters in Management ganizing the China-Russia Youth Year ranked Number 1 in value worldwide by FT of Friendship Exchanges. It received great support from the Guangdong Sun Yat-sen Business School (SYSBS) was provincial government and the De- ranked first overall in value for money by the FT partment of Education of Guangdong 2015 Masters in Management (MiM) Rankings, Province. It was well coordinated by released on September 15. It is the first time SYSU’s partner university, Russian SYSBS’s MiM program has topped the list in New University, and won great support the Value rankings since entering FT’s rankings from Moscow State University and two years ago. The program ranked 47th overall. Saint Petersburg State University as The ranking is calculated using alumni salaries ♦ well. three years after graduation and course costs. The length of the course is also taken into consid- eration. In addition, SYSBS’s program reached 14th in the Placement Success ranking, which SYSU International Students Conduct used vivid examples to teach some inidcates that SYSBS graduates are thriving after basic Thai, encouraging the high graduation. The rankings are considered among Cultural Exchange with Jiangkou High School school students to learn more about the most reputable and reliable assessments of their neighboring country’s culture postgraduate management education. On the weekend of September 12, and helping the SYSU students gain and language. Bui Duy Anh and Bui 2015, 43 SYSU international stu- a better understanding of Chinese Thi Thu Trang, from Vietnam, intro- The school continues to be a leader in terms of dents from 23 countries volunteered culture and education. duced traditional Vietnamese Bam- facilitating career progress with 99% of gradu- for a cultural exchange experience The international student volunteers boo dancing and women’s clothes, ates securing employment within three months with Jiangkou High School in were divided into small groups to which garnered gasps of amazement of graduation.♦ Zhaoqing City, Guangdong. The aim share their own culture, history, from the students and a huge round of the event was to engage with high language, and food with the high of applause. The international Sun Yat-sen Business School Welcomes 2015 International Students school students, giving international school students from 38 classes. students’ classroom activities were Sun Yat-sen Business School (SYSBS) welcomed its new international students with an inauguration ceremony exposure to the high school students Leesiriroj Supranee, from Thailand, highly praised by both the on September 20, 2015 in the SYSBS MBA Building on SYSU’s South Campus. Seventy-two new exchange teachers and students of students from 22 partner universities as well as more than 20 student delegates attended the ceremony. Jiangkou High School. On First, on behalf of SYSBS, Professor Meiji Fong used his opening remakrs to warmly welcome all the new inter- Sep. the 13th, the interna- national students. Ms. Justine Xu from the Office of Curriculum and Degree Affairs and Ms. Lenore Xu from tional student volunteers the MBA Administration Office each gave informative presentations on course requirements and electives. Stu- went to the National Geo- dents then received an introduction provided by Ms. Cici Mou from the Office of International Affairs on -cam park of Fengkai County, pus services and urban life. Moreover, Zhangqing City, famous two dual-degree students from WFI for breathtaking natural shared their life experiences and tips for scenery. living in Guangzhou. Finally, “buddies” and student delegates introduced the The cultural exchange gave activities of the Buddy Club for this international students new semester. insights and understand- ing into Chinese culture The orientation meeting ended suc- and education. Many cessfully and cheerfully with the aroma even made new friends of moon cakes made especially for with whom they plan to the new international students. All of see more of China. The them expressed their great expectations international students look and excitement for their new lives in forward to taking part in Guangzhou.♦ upcoming activities.♦ There was an air of excitement before the ceremony kicked off. SYSU Students and Jiangkou High School students taking group selfies.

5 SYSU WORLD \ FALL 2015 \ 6 Campus update SYSU Performing Troupe Tours Confucius Institutes in the Americas

From September 22 to October 5, Youth Association. It is part of the the Lady Luofu, Walking in the Land- 2015, the Sun Yat-sen University “three tours” (tour for performance, scape, and The Love of the Chinese Student Performing Troupe staged tour for lectures, and tour for exhi- People; the martial arts performance shows at seven Confucius Institutes bition) activities organized by Han- The Spirit of Chinese Martial Arts; in three countries in the Americas, ban, which aims to promote Chinese and songs such as Good Luck, The including the Confucius Institute traditional arts and culture. Love Song in Kangding, and Love and at Indiana University-Purdue Uni- Friendship Which Cannot be Separated versity Indianapolis (IUPUI), the The 20-member troupe, led by by Mountains and Rivers. During the Confucius Institute at the National Ms. Wu Dan, Deputy Secretary of tour, the performances contributed Autonomous University of Mexico SYSU Youth Association, consisted to the celebrations of the Confucius and Huaxia Confucius Institute in of one staff member from the Office Institute Day and the traditional Mexico City, the Confucius Institute of International Cooperation & Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. The at the Autonomous University of Exchange, a teacher from the Arts shows earned high praise from the New Leon, the Confucius Institute Education Center, and 17 under- audiences, with such comments as: at Autonomous University of Chi- graduate and postgraduate students “Chinese dance is so beautiful, and I huahua, the Confucius Institute at from Lingnan (University) College, want to learn it.” “The performance Autonomous University of Yucatan, International School of Business is wonderful, I like Chinese arts.” “I and the Confucius Institute at Uni- & Finance, School of Foreign like Chinese musical instruments. versity of Costa Rica. Among them, Languages, School of International Let me know when there is such a The Performing Troupe’s program included traditional Chinese musical pieces (above) and dance routines (below). the Confucius Institute at IUPUI Studies, School of Chinese as a show next time.” “Guangzhou is a was jointly established by SYSU and Second Language, School of Marine good place, I want to go there and IUPUI and the Confucius Institute Sciences, School of Geography and study.” “I like Chinese arts, I like at the Autonomous University of Planning, and School of Engineer- China.” The performing troupe Yucatan was jointly established by ing. The program for the perfor- not only demonstrated the unique SYSU and the Autonomous Uni- mances included folk music such as features of traditional Chinese arts versity of Yucatan. The tour was Descendants of the Dragon, The Spring and promoted Chinese culture, but organized by the Confucius Institute in Xiang River, The Running War also demonstrated SYSU students’ Headquarters (Hanban), and un- Horses and The Fern Leaf Bamboo in demeanor and increased our inter- dertaken by the Office of Confucius the Moonlight; dances such as The national influence.♦ Institutes of SYSU and the SYSU Song of Spring, Flowers, The Story of

The Performing Troupe delivering a song and dance to their American hosts. 7 SYSU WORLD \ FALL 2015 \ 8 PHOTO FOCUS

Moving to campus is a family affair. A student delegate speaks at SYSU’s opening ceremony.

Students walking during the recent typhoon rains.

SYSU’s North Gate Plaza on a recent calm evening. Fresh mooncakes on Mid Autumn Festival SYSU President Luo Jun greets a student during registration.

9 SYSU WORLD \ FALL 2015 \ 10 Earlier this year, a surgical robot named Meet da Vinci: “da Vinci” operated on a sigmoid colon polyps resection surgery under the con- South China’s First Robot Surgeon trol of doctors at Operating Theatre 30 in the Surgery Building at SYSU’s First Affiliated Hospital. The procedure was the first robotic surgery ever performed Surgeon’s console (reverse) including foot in South China. pedals, precision controls, and HD vision eye-piece From traditional open surgeries and laproscopic minimally invasive proce- dures to robotic surgery, surgical tech- nology has recently made great strides forward. The da Vinci system is well suited to conduct complicated surgeries in confined spaces. Especially in cardiac, hepatobiliary, gastrointensinal, urolog- ical, gynecological and other surgeries, the use of da Vinci can lower patients’ internal damage and blood loss, which leads to fewer complications, less pain, and smoother recoveries. Wounds are much smaller, meaning they heal cleanly and quickly. On average, the length of hospital stays can be cut in half.

Although da Vinci has freed surgeons from the operating table, it actually brings forward higher requirements for them: not only do they need to have traditional surgery experience, but also have to be familiar with the operation of complex robotic systems. The surgery on March 11 was performed by Professor He Yulong, Director of Surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital, together with Associate Professor Wu Hui. Four super-precise robotic arms, capable of suturing, The system is produced by the Ameican clamping, and fine tissue company Intuitive Surgical. According manipulation to the manufacturer, the system got its name in part because Leonardo da Vin- ci’s “study of human anatomy eventually led to the design of the first known robot in history.” The presence of the Rolling base, for maximum system on SYSU’s campus is another stability and mobility key expansion in the University’s med- ical research and technology capabili- ties. SYSU operates a network of eight affiliated hospitals in Guangzhou (four comprehensive and four specialized) and is a national leader in medical teaching, research, and practice.♦ IN FOCUS

After the July 7 Incident of 1937, Japan On February 10, SYSU held the opening launched an all-out war of aggression ceremony in Chengjiang, announcing that against China. From August to Sep- classes would begin on March 1. tember of 1937 SYSU’s main campus in Guangzhou’s Shipai area was repeatedly Chengjiang, located in the south of bombarded by Japanese aircraft, destroy- Yunnan Province, was a small county, ing multiple school buildings and count- forcing the University to arrange itself in less books and killing almost 20 people. In a scattershot manner, using local ancestral the face of this onslaught, the President halls and temples as schoolhouses. The of SYSU, Mr. Zou Lu urged perseverance main campus was located in the Qing era and bravery from the SYSU community. Pufu Temple, near the South Gate of the county. Wing-rooms were used as offices That December, rumors began spreading and surrounding residence buildings were that Japan would invade South China. rented as the dwellings of department Meanwhile, SYSU received the order heads and administrative staff. from the Ministry of Education to start preparing to relocate. Government funds The Faculty of Arts was established at were extremely limited; the University’s the Confucius Temple, one of the biggest staff and faculty led the funding efforts Confucius Temples in Yunnan province for the costs of relocation, with one writ- and the largest ancient architectural com- ing that they must “sacrifice their personal plex in area. Taking advantage of the many interests for the benefit of others”. spacious rooms, the Faculty of Arts was able to set up four teaching classrooms In October, 1938, SYSU received the and a hall for conferences, performances, order to move, but it was hard to make a and lectures. Many of these events were decision on the location. At first, SYSU open to the public, including Ma Sicong’s decided to move to Luoding, in the violin recital and a piano concert by Wang western part of Guangdong. But after Muzhen. Teachers and students also drew reaching present-day Shunde, they were wall newspapers and wall posters on the bombed by enemy airplanes. The decision walls of the temple and other buildings, was made to leave Guangdong Province, which were rich in content and helped which was under the heavy cloud of Japa- local residents keep apprised of wartime nese air power. The university board began developments. The School of Science was exploring options in Yunnan and located at Wenchang Palace with its office Provinces. Professor Deng Xiaoci raised at Cengqing Pavilion and the School of the matter with Associate Professor Wu Engineering was located at the foot of Xinda, Director of School of Law, who Jinlian Mountain in Dongyue Temple, came from Chengjiang in Yunnan Prov- which dates back to the Ming Dynasty. ince. Wu suggested that the university relocate to Chengjiang to resume The Affiliated Hospital of SYSU was set classes. After many false starts, the in the Tuzhu Temple in the county town University finally had a new target of Chengjiang, and Professor Ye Shaofu, for relocation. worked as the president. Due to the poor housing conditions, the hospital made the In January and February 1939, the best of existing facilities and set up four The legacy of World War II is being reflected upon To honor the memory of the war, known in University began organizing groups or five wards which could offer services around the world this year, the 70th anniver- China as the War of Resistance, the SYSU News of students and faculty in preparation for more than 20 patients. The hospital sary of the conclusion of hostilities. In China, Center has produced a story and photo suite for making the exodus to Cheng- provided consulting and medical services the history of the war usually focuses on places that brings the narrative home, investigating jiang. Their routes varied greatly, not only for teachers, students and staff like Manchuria, the focal point of early Japanese the impact of the war on the SYSU community. with some going through Hunan of SYSU, but also for the local residents colonial ambitions in China; Eastern China, Here, edited and amended for space and content, Province, and others going through in Chengjiang. They also actively helped the site of some of the heaviest fighting and most you can find the inside story of SYSU’s cultural Guangxi. By the end of February, local doctors with some difficult and com- brutal wartime atrocities; and , the inheritance during eight long years of war that 245 faculty members and 1736 plicated illnesses that they could not treat. wartime capital of the Republic of China. changed the course of the country’s future. students had arrived at Chengjiang.

13 SYSU WORLD \ FALL 2015 \ 14 IN FOCUS

The teachers and students took for defense against gas poisoning. farm and also conducted extensive publication and distribution of ac- process of stencil printing. Chengjiang， maintaining SYSU's advantage of their misfortune, us- In addition to the exhibition, the research into agricultural practices ademic journals in spite of arduous legacy of providing education and ing their new location to conduct University also marked the unique in the region which culminated in conditions. Some journals contin- In August, 1940, SYSU was moved services to the people. important scientific and anthro- circumstances of the 15th anniver- reports that were crucial to the gov- ued, some resumed publication after back to Guangdong Province to set pological research, field work and sary by celebrating local heritage ernment’s understanding of these interruptions, and some were newly up schools in Pingshi in the north- The legacy of SYSU in Chengjiang internship programs. Delegations with a folk festival. Different schools topics. As robbery was quite fre- founded during this time. Some ern part of the province. Before has not been forgotten. At present, were sent to investigate the culture, and communities organized cultural quent during the war, teachers and journals, which were sponsored by leaving Chengjiang, the University as an important teaching place of history and education situation activities, including drama, music, students sometimes would encounter the university but printed in other held a farewell gathering, and pub- SYSU during the period of the War of citizens in Yunnan, Guizhou, dance, martial arts, and art pro- dangers while conducting investiga- provinces, were mailed to Chengji- lished a book of poems and essays of Resistance, Pufu Temple is ac- Guangxi, and Guangdong. In the grams. In Chengjiang, SYSU also tions. Two researchers were robbed ang where they solicited contribu- entitled Li Ge. Temporary President credited as a protected cultural relic summer of 1939, 17 students from held many school-level and depart- of their money and clothes on their tions from teachers and students. Xu Chongqing composed the Fare- by the People’s Government of the the Civil Engineering Department ment-level basketball and football way to investigate the forestry of The Botanical Institute continued well Letter to People in Chengjiang by county with a monument erected were assigned to help maintain games. western Yunnan. Only with the help publishing the Journal of the Botan- himself on behalf of teachers, stu- in the courtyard. The architectural the vital Xufu-Kunming and Yun- of the military police and the local ical Institute; the journal Language dents, and staff to express his grat- complex of the Confucius Temple nan-Burma Railways. In November As exemplified in the anniversary government could they safely return and Literature was resumed by the itude to the people there. The letter was listed as a key cultural relic unit 1939, a postgraduate in the liberal exhibition, SYSU Agricultural re- to Chengjiang. Institute of Liberal Arts; and Con- also reflected on the work for local at the county level in 1992 and was arts, was dispatched to four towns searchers provided a vital reference temporary Historiography was re-is- cultural and social construction in upgraded into the municipal level near Kunming to investigate the point to the government, which SYSU’s many academic journals sued by the History Association. The Chengjiang conducted by teachers, afterwards. In 2005, the Chengjiang languages of indigenous people. wanted to improve cotton produc- were also influenced by the reloca- Geological Society of the School students, and staff. government erected a monument tion to aid in the war effort. They tion. When in Chengjiang, schools of Science insisted on editing and inside the area to commemorate On November 11th, 1939, SYSU started an experimental research and departments resumed the publishing the monthly Earth by the Some professors chose to stay in the relocation of SYSU’s campus launched celebrations of its 15th to Chengjiang during the War of anniversary celebrations in Cheng- Resistance. Cengqing Pavilion, the jiang, with each school holding a temporary home of the School of three day exhibition. The School Science, was approved in February, of Agriculture displayed dozens of 1992 by the People’s Government samples of the silk made by silk- of the county as one of the first worms bred successfully in Cheng- batch of key protected cultural rel- jiang. The Department of Forestry ics units at county level. The reno- exhibited hundreds of varieties of vation of the Pavilion was funded wood specimens. The Department partially by donations from SYSU of Agricultural Chemistry displayed alumni. new agricultural products and the Institute for Soil Research exhibited The most striking aspect of this dozens of soils specimens and charts trying period of time, exemplified collected in Chengjiang. Exhibits by the 15th anniversary exhibi- of the Department of Geography tion, was the schools resilience in covered all kinds of maps, globes, the face of difficulty. In a time of slides, and photos and those of the extreme hardship, SYSU not only Department of Mathematics and survived, but thrived in its new Astronomy ranged from geometric home, taking advantage of the models to astronomical instruments. circumstances to contribute to the surrounding community and to the Exhibits of the Faculty of Arts were wider body of scientific knowledge. displayed in two showrooms: Show- The spirit of academic courage is room #1 was the research laboratory an unbroken thread that began of each department, which displayed with SYSU’s founding in 1924, the works of professors and students. carried through the 15th anniver- Showroom #2 was the library of the sary in Chengjiang and the 90th Faculty of Arts, which collected a anniversary last year, and presses wide array of Chinese and foreign forward to the present day. ♦ books. As for the Department of Chemistry, they exhibited medicines

15 SYSU WORLD \ FALL 2015 \ 16 RESEARCH DEPARTMENT

SYSU Researchers Find Link Between Childhood Li from the College of Ecology and rence of exotics with their distantly Evolution at Sun Yat-sen University, related natives as evidence for Dar- Sunlight Exposure and Nearsightedness and Prof. Marc W Cadotte from the win’s naturalisation hypothesis, and University of Toronto laid out a new highlight it is necessary to incorpo- (Reuters Health) For primary school old, were included. After three years, ing recesses, and encourage parents framework to reconcile the conun- rate native species displacement into children in China, spending an 30% of the outdoor activity group to bring children outdoors over the drum. By examining invasion dy- Darwin’s phylogenetic framework. extra 45 minutes per day outside in had developed myopia, compared weekend, the researcher said. namics of 480 plots over 40 years in By deconstructing Darwin’s co- a school activity the Piedmont region of New Jersey, nundrum into invasion success and class may reduce “One issue that they found that exotic species more impact, this study could help to rec- the risk of my- needs to be closely related to native species were oncile the 150-year-old conundrum. opia, according addressed is the more likely to enter, establish, and to a new study. potential skin dominate the native communities, This paper titled “The effects of In some parts and eye damage which provides strong support for phylogenetic relatedness on invasion of China, 90% from UV expo- pre-adaptation hypothesis. Further, success and impact: deconstructing of high school sures, but these for the first time, they found that Darwin’s naturalisation conundrum”, graduates have can be managed native residents more closely related was published on Oct. 6, 2015 in nearsightedness, by standard UV to the successful invaders were more Ecology Letters, a top journal in and rates are low- protection mea- likely to go locally extinct. These ecology and environmental sciences. er but increasing sures,” He added. results present challenges to recent This is the second publication in this in Europe and studies which used the co-occur- journal by the group this year.♦ the Middle East, “Establishing the Darwin statue at SYSU’s School of Life Sciences. the authors write. long-term effect “There were of additional SYSU Cancer Center Has Lymphoma Findings some studies outdoor activities Outdoor play can greatly benefit childrens’ eyesight. suggesting the on the develop- Published in New England Journal of Medicine protective effect of outdoor time to almost 40% of kids in the control ment and progression of myopia is in the development of myopia, group, according to the results in particularly important because the Recently, the New England Journal ventional chemotherapy with high was the Principal Investigator. The but most of this evidence is from JAMA September 15. That means intervention is essentially free and of Medicine (NEJM) published relapsed risk, and the prognosis is trial randomly assigned 487 adults cross-sectional studies (survey) data kids who spent more time outside may have other health benefits,” but the results of a prospective inter- dismal for elderly cases. Bortezo- with newly diagnosed mantle-cell that suggest ‘association’ instead were 23% less likely to develop parents should understand that the national multicenter clinical trial mib is a proteasome inhibitor that lymphoma who were ineligible for of causality,” said lead author Dr. myopia, the authors write. The magnitude of the effect may be small for patients with newly diagnosed showed favorable efficacy in multiple stem-cell transplantation to receive Mingguang He of Sun Yat-sen Uni- study doesn’t investigate why time and may not be permanent, Repka mantle-cell lymphoma ineligible for myeloma and relapsed/refractory six to eight cycles of R-CHOP-21 versity in Guangzhou. “Our study, as outdoors might protect eyesight, writes. Spending time outside also autologous transplant (LYM 3002 or VR-CAP (R-CHOP regimen, a randomized trial, is able to prove but He said that some experimental involves focusing on more distant trial), demonstrating that bortezo- but replacing vincristine with bor- causality and also provide the high work suggests brighter outside light objects, one assumes, which may mib-based chemotherapy improved tezomib at a dose of 1.3 mg per level of evidence to inform public affects eye growth in a way that play a role in addition to sunlight outcomes of patients with man- square meter of body-surface area on policy.” Intense levels of schooling inhibits myopia. To maximize the exposure. [Kathryn Doyle, www. tle-cell lymphoma compared with days 1, 4, 8, and 11). After a median ♦ and little time spent outdoors may benefit, schools in China should in- scientificamerican.com] an R-CHOP regimen. Professor follow-up of 40 months, median have contributed to the epidemic crease outdoor time further, includ- Huiqiang Huang (the second au- progression-free survival was 14.4 rise of nearsightedness in China, he SYSU Researchers Deconstruct Darwin’s thor) is from Sun Yat-sen University months in the R-CHOP group told Reuters Health by email. Cancer Center (SYSUCC), marking versus 24.7 months in the VR-CAP Conundrum of Species Invasion the first time that the Cancer Cen- group (P < 0.001), with a relative The researchers divided 12 primary ter’s research has been published in improvement of 59%. The results schools in China into two groups: six For more than 150 years, biologists However, Darwin also proposed NEJM, the medical journal with the of the trial changed the treatment schools continued their existing class focused on invasion biology have that exotic species closely related to highest rating and most prestiege. mantle-cell lymphoma in previ- choice for elderly patients with schedule, while six were assigned to looked back to an idea first pro- natives should be favored, as they ous studies as a single agent. This mantle-cell lymphoma at the first include an additional 40 minutes of posed by Charles Darwin in The adapt to similar environments as the Mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL) phase 3 trial aimed to investigate time. In this trial, professor Huang’s outdoor activity at the end of each Origin of Species, which now has natives (pre-adaptation hypothesis). is a unique subtype of malignant whether bortezomib in frontline team from SYSUCC won two gold school day. Parents of children in the been termed ‘Darwin’s naturalisa- This conundrum has been tested lymphoma with both aggressive and therapy could improve outcomes of medals rewarded for both of the second group were also encouraged tion conundrum’. Darwin proposed across numerous taxa and ecosys- indolent clinical features, account- R-CHOP for patients with newly highest incrollment in number and to engage their children in outdoor that exotics distantly related to na- tems, but the opposing hypotheses ing for 6% of all non-Hodgkin’s diagnosed mantle-cell lymphoma. the best quality of recruitment. activities on the weekends. In total, tives are more likely to be successful, have been supported in roughly lymphoma (about 2.5% in China). One hundred and twenty hospitals almost 2,000 first-graders, with an as they complete less with natives equal proportions. Recently, Prof. MCL is characterized by t(11; 14) worldwide were involved in this The NEJM is regarded as the most average age of almost seven years (Darwin’s naturalisation hypothesis). Wen-sheng Shu and Dr. Shao-peng and Cyclin D1 overexpression, high global clinical trial, and Professor prestigious academic medical jour- onset age, poor response to con- Franco Cavalli from Switzerland nal in the world. ♦

17 SYSU WORLD \ FALL 2015 \ 18 AROUND GUANGZHOU

Guangzhou Enters Twinning Agreement Guangzhou Evergrande Reaches with Zimbabwe Capital AFC Champion’s League Final

Guangzhou has entered into a “sister city” Guangzhou Evergrande, one of two China restaurants, and shops en masse. Chinese agreement with Harare, the capital and Super League teams based in Guangzhou, football fans are growing in ranks, and largest city of Zimbabwe. According to the has advanced to the AFC Champion’s Evergrande is perhaps the best supported Harare-based daily The Herald, a delegation League Final. The club earned the right club in the country. of officials recently traveled to Zimbabwe to play in the final after a two game series to conclude talks on the twinning agree- win against the Japanese club Gamba Evergrande is in the midst of a period of ment. Harare mayor Bernard Manyenyeni Osaka. The series started in Guangzhou’s dominance in the Super League, which said that Guangzhou’s developmental Tianhe Stadium on September 30, where represents the top level of association track record serves as a shining path for Evergrande came back from an early 0-1 football in mainland China. Evergrane has his own city to follow. “They are solid on defecit to earn a 2-1 win. The second leg won the last four Super League titles and infrastructure, waste management, housing, of the series was held in Osaka on October has the lead in this year’s tables as well. and construction; their financial center is 21, where Evergrande played the hosts to Beyond the Super League, Evergrande an international hub. So for a city like ours a scoreless draw. As per tournament rules, achieved glory in 2013 by winning the in need of technical expertise and funding, the winner is chosen based on composite AFC Champion’s League, the highest This is a great opportunity for us. score, meaning Evergrande advanced to level of club competition in Asia. The club the final on a 2-1 advantage. went on to place fourth in the FIFA Club Harare becomes the twenty-second city World Cup, falling to eventual champion to partner with Guangzhou in a twinning They will face the Emerati club Al-Ahli Bayern Munich in the semi-final. arangement, and the second in Africa after Dubai F.C. for the title. The first match the South African city Durban. will take place in Dubai in November 7 before the series shifts back to Guangzhou for the deciding match on November 21. Kicks off in Guangzhou During Evergrande’s home games, the area around Tianhe Stadium becomes a vast sea of red, as supporters from around The 118th China Import and Export Fair, als to automobile components. The Fair is the city descend on the district’s bars, also known as the Canton Fair, is under- held at the massive Canton Fair Complex way in Guangzhou. The fair, which is held in Guangzhou’s Pazhou area. Telltale signs twice every year, has gained worldwide re- of the Fair’s arrival include a sudden influx nown as the larget trade fair in all of Chi- of bewildered, lanyard-wearing business na. Guangzhou is the urban anchor of the people desparately trying to decipher sub- Pearl River Delta region, which is one of way maps, and a mass migration of SYSU the most productive industrial areas in the students to the Fair Complex looking to world. Many of the products you use every pick up some part time work as translators day are produced in this region and the for attendees from their home countries. Canton Fair is the top venue for connect- Phase 1 of this iteration of the Fair opened ing local producers and international buy- on October 15 and the final phase wraps ers. Products displayed at the Fair range up on November 4th. Guangzhou was from consumer goods to building materi- formerly known in English as Canton.

19 SYSU WORLD \ FALL 2015 \ 20 STUDENT CORNER

Smiles, Selfies, and Culture: A Trip to Jiangkou High School by Kevin Martin Kurcz Seitz Easily one of the most enjoyable of China I wouldn’t encounter in my Jiangkou High School. weekends I’ve had in a long time was normal life as a student, so I filled my trip to Jiangkou High School. out my volunteer application and got On the actual day of the presen- Learning about what it’s like in a started helping to prepare the event tations we were completely over- Chinese high school, taking more soon thereafter. I was in charge of whelmed with excited students smil- selfies than I ever thought I’d be around 15 students which was a fun ing from ear to ear, taking selfies and comfortable with, showering us with and being able to gifts. My personal share some of my favorite was a gift own culture was an by a 9th grade girl experience I’ll re- named Xiao Li who member for a long gave me a piece of time to come. calligraphy with the characters “ 态度决 It all started one 定一切” (Attitude Tuesday afternoon Decides Every- when I strolled into thing) on it. the International Students’ Office Overall, reflecting (ISO). I had recent- on the weekend ly quit my weekend a month later, I job and was looking would like to thank to help out around Kevin (right) posing for one of many selfies with Jiankou High School students. the ISO and the campus, preferably something that way to get to know more people and Jiangkou High School for giving has to do with traveling a bit. Jia help out some first year students. I us an opportunity we would never Jia, the event organizer at the ISO, was genuinely moved by the level of have had if it weren’t for their initia- mentioned that they were organizing participation and energy they showed tive. I’m happy I got to see more of a trip to a little city named Zhaoqing and all the positive feedback I got Guangdong, especially since there is where we’d meet with high school from my group. During the prep- so much to see outside the big city. students to share experiences and phase things were hectic, but our I’ll be sure to sign up for the next learn about what it’s like to go to high team members nevertheless gave it volunteer trip and explore more of school in China. The trip seemed like their all and came up with creative Guangdong soon.♦ a nice way to get to know some parts ways to interact with the students of

SYSU World Chinese Corner #1: What’s your name?

English Mandarin What’s your name? 你叫什么名字？ 你叫乜野名呀？ nǐ jiào shénme míngzì? néih giu mātyéh méng a?

My name is ____. 我叫 ___ 。 我叫做 ____ 。 wǒ jiào ____ 。 ngóh giujouh ____ 。

Nice to meet you! 很高兴认识你！ 好开心认识你！ hěn gāoxìng rènshí nǐ! hóu hòisàm yihngsīk néih!

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