Delegation from Huaqiao University (HQU), China

A delegation from Huaqiao University (HQU), China visited the University of Peradeniya (UoP)on 25 April 2017. The visit was aimed at initiating collaborations between HQU and UoP in exchanges of faculty and joint research collaborations, organizing joint workshops international conferences including staff training programmes in the relevant disciplines. Prof. Jia Yimin President of Huaqiao University (HQU) who visited the UoP was accompanied by Prof. Zhao Xincheng, Director, Office of International Exchange & Cooperation, HQU, Prof. Xu Peiyuan, Director, Maritime Research Institute, HQU, Prof. Zhang Xiangqian, Director, Office of Development & Planning, HQU and Mrs. Zhang Xueli the Media Personnel. The delegates met Prof. Upul B Dissanayake, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya and had a lengthy discussion.

The discussions were resulted in initiating discus- sions to establish a China Language Centre at the University of Peradeniya including Chinese language staff training, student exchange for Chinese Language programmes, exchange of Chinese language teachers, where staff members from UoP will be awarded scholarships to visit China to participate in a Chinese Language Training programmes, which will hopefully be initiated in September 2017. It was further discussed to initiate research collaborations between HQU and UoP in the areas of Chinese and Sri Lankan traditional Medicine and Pharmaceutical research. The event was coordinated by the International Research Centre.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. R L Wijeyeweeera, Director of the International Research Centre Dr. Nanda Gunawardena and Mr. Indrananda Abeysekara, Chairman of the Sri LankaChina Social and Cultural Corporation Association also participated at this discussion.