CHENGDU, China, November 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 22, His Excellency David Johnston, Governor-General of Canada, visited Sichuan University. He attended the "Innovation Forum" held by the university, made a keynote speech and had interactive exchanges with scholars from China and Canada and students of the university.
The delegation led by Mr. Johnston first visited No.8 teaching building of Medical School of West China Hospital, Sichuan University. This ancient building was called the Dental Department Building when established in 1928 with the donation of University of Toronto. Standing in front of the panoramic aerial view of the building, President of Sichuan University and academician Xie Heping and Professor Li Weimin, Director of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, introduced to Mr. Johnston the friendship history between West China Hospital and Canada and the recent developments of the hospital. Xie met the delegation in the VIP room of No.8 teaching building.
After the meeting, the delegation came to the lecture hall of the new teaching building of Medical School of West China Hospital accompanied by Xie and Li. Before the speech formally started, Xie gave a welcoming speech on behalf of the university. Xie spoke highly of Mr. Johnston for his rich experience and knowledge in education and personnel cultivation. Xie believed that the excellent lecture to be delivered by Mr. Johnston would be a precious opportunity for Sichuan University faculty and students to broaden the horizons of international view and to appreciate the wisdom, experience and understanding of the Governor-General in education, politics and social field. It would surely promote the development and growth of us in the future and the cooperation between China and Canada in education and technology. Moreover, it would impel the development and peace between the two countries, boost global exchanges in science and technology and bring about innovations to the development and prosperity of the world.
Mr. Johnston delivered a keynote speech titled "Education, Innovation, and Prosperity." Mr. Johnston started by expressing the honor to visit Sichuan University of such a splendid history and profound foundation and the gratitude for the warm reception as well as the platforms and opportunities provided by the university for the higher education exchanges between China and Canada. He said, "Canada can make the commitment that the cooperation between us does not only date back long but will be also long lasting. There will be more exchanges and cooperation on education." He also stated that he attached great importance to this visit: "The friendship between China and Canada is very important. We have many cooperation opportunities ahead, and there will be more chances for us to meet."
The speech was acclaimed by the faculty and students. Mr. Johnston fully attracted the audience with great vision as a politician and wisdom and passion as an excellent lecturer.
In the link of "The Innovation Forum of Sichuan University," Professor Huang Limin, Vice Dean of Business School of University of Alberta, served as Chairman of the forum and four distinguished scholars from Canada and Sichuan University were invited as the experts. The forum focused on "The function and role of online education. How can the colleges make full use of online education to promote studying and innovation?" and "How can the Sino-Canada cooperation and exchanges help to shape an innovation culture in the two countries? How can the innovation further promote the economical and social prosperity? To which direction will the future of the Sino-Canadian cooperation in education be heading?" The experts had in-depth discussions and freely expressed their views. In the interactive session, five scholars of the forum and Mr. Johnston answered questions raised by the students of Sichuan University in presence.
