On the afternoon of November 18, Hubei Normal University (HBNU) held an important event - Forum on People-to-People Exchange to promote the cultural exchanges between China and the UK, as well as to develop in-depth understanding and exchanges and cooperation between universities. The forum was held in the conference room of the British Studies Center and the Conservatory of Music, attended by more than 50 people, including Hugh Thomas O'Reilly (Mayor of Fermanagh City, Northern Ireland, and Chairman of St. Kevin's College Council), Yu Xiang (Vice President of Hubei Normal University and Head of the International Exchange Department), and other teachers and students representatives. The forum was presided over by Xiao Liuyi (a member of the Standing Committee of the University Party Committee), Feng Guoxin (Director of the British Research Center), and Zhou Youliang (Dean of the Conservatory of Music) from HBNU.
In the welcome speech delivered by Vice President Yu Xiang, he extended a warm welcome and sincere respect to the guests coming from afar and made a detailed introduction to the construction and development of the British Research Center in recent years. Prof. Yu Xiang said that HBNU attaches great importance to the construction of the British Research Center, actively integrates internal and external resources, gives play to talent advantages, and has made important breakthroughs in the field of national and regional studies. This Centre has built a bridge of friendship and made important contributions to China-UK cultural exchanges and educational cooperation projects.
On behalf of HBNU, Yu Xiang hired 11 experts such as Paul Connolly (Vice President and Dean of the School of Arts, Humanities and Society of Ulster University) as visiting professors for the British Research Center, HBNU, and awarded them certificates. As the representative of visiting experts, Prof. Paul Connolly gave a gracious speech of thanks. A precious group photo was taken to record this impressive moment.
Subsequently, Prof. Feng Guoxin presided over the following activities. Seven experts from both China and the UK delivered keynote speeches and had in-depth discussions on China-UK cultural exchanges and educational cooperation. Mayor Hugh Thomas O 'Reilly introduced the basic situation and development strategy of Fermanagh City. Prof. Yu Xiang expressed his views on the challenges brought by the development of artificial intelligence to the patent and copyright system and its countermeasures. Prof. Sven from Ulster University (UU) introduced the general situation of the School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at UU and the prospect of future cooperation with China. Prof. Feng Guoxin, Head of British Research Center analyzed various misinterpretations regarding Yan Fu's translation theory of Fidelity, Fluency and Elegance. Prof. Liu Min, Dean of the School of Foreign Languages, shared her exploration in the innovative teaching methods in English poetry. The sub-forum of the Conservatory of Music was chaired by Profe. Zhou Youliang, and Prof. Ryan from UU gave a special lecture on the history and development of folk music in Northern Ireland.
The successful holding of this forum marks an important breakthrough made by HBNU in international exchange and cooperation. Through this exchange platform, we can better understand the world and go to the world. In the next step, the school will strengthen international educational exchanges, promote the combination of going out and bringing in, and strive to create a new pattern of educational opening up that is more comprehensive, more multi-level, wider fields and more active, so as to help HBNU develop with high quality and internationalization.