Head of university’s pride at addressing Chinese Vice Premier
THE HEAD of one of the region’s leading universities has told of his pride at being asked to address the most senior woman in the Chinese government as she makes a visit to the UK.
Professor Sir Keith Burnett, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Sheffield, gave a speech in London yesterday welcoming Vice Premier Liu Yandong to the country.
Speaking ahead of the event, Sir Keith said: “It is a genuine honour to be asked to speak to the Vice Premier of China and the Chinese delegation on this important visit to the UK and to represent universities here in Britain which have become temporary homes to many Chinese students.
“I am looking forward to taking this opportunity to express our thanks for the tremendous investment and vitality these young people bring to our universities and cities, and for the sacrifices made by their families to allow their children to study overseas.
“I also want to share with Vice Premier Liu Yandong our desire to work closely with scholars in China who are working with us on the crucial challenges of the future – sustainable cities, economic prosperity, food security and health.”
The University of Sheffield is home to more than 3,000 Chinese students and has built up close links with universities in Beijing and Nanjing.
Its Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre is currently working on projects with the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, which is responsible for the Chinese space programme.
Sir Keith, who is a Chinese speaker, is a longstanding advocate of partnerships between the UK and China.
He is the chair of the awardwinning Sheffield Confucius Institute, which works with schools and companies keen to develop business relationships in the Far East country.