Sias University held its International Culture Week Finale, the closing ceremony of the International Culture Week, on November 9. A number of domestic and international guests were present at the ceremony including the Vice-Rector for Scientific Affairs and Information Infrastructure at Zadar University in Croatia, Ivanka Stričević; member of the External Communications Department of the Association Promotion D'exchanges Franco-Chinois, Julian Chang; the General Manager of the CCTV Industrial Group, Han Feng; the Founder and Executive Partner of Qianhai Purui Fund Management, Yang Yi; General Manager of Ping An Capital, Tao Danyang; the Chairman of Best Education Institute, Li Weiqi; and the President of Qinli Foreign Language Middle School, Tao Shun. The Sias leadership was also present including the Founder and Chairman of the Board, Dr. Shawn Chen, Party Secretary, Ma Jiansheng, Executive President, Wang Jialin, Deputy Party Secretary, Li Huafeng, Vice President, Zhao Yuxin, and Vice President, Xu Shengdao. Wang Jialin presided over the ceremony.
After the national anthem of the People's Republic of China was played, Dr. Chen delivered a speech. He spoke about the various academic and cultural activities at Sias over the past week. He said that the International Culture Week was a tradition at Sias and embodied its emphasis on internationalization through the integration of the advantages of Chinese culture and Western educational concepts. He said that Sias would continue to contribute to the economic and social development of Henan and the Central Plains of China.
Ivanka Stričević then spoke about Zadar University in Croatia. She spoke about Croatian history and culture and spoke of her appreciation of Chinese culture. She said that she hoped that Zadar University and Sias University would explore the possibility of exchange programs including visits for teachers and students to bring about a deeper level of cooperation between the two universities.
Sias' Foreign Faculty Representative, Eric Valdois, spoke of how Sias provides students with a broad world view and a rich cultural perspective. The International Culture Week, he said, allowed students to broaden their horizons and experience cultures and customs from around the world.
International Student Representative, Ye Ziyi, spoke in Chinese about her studies and life at Sias over the past year. She said that the International Culture Week lets international students experience Chinese culture while learning about the customs of cultures from around the world, with a view to increasing their knowledge and their appreciation for Sias.
The International Culture Week Finale closed with a variety of performances including a Polish dance, Burmese dance, Hawaiian dance, Laos Water Lantern dance, as well as a variety of Chinese dances, folk songs, and anthems.
