On November 1, the 12th Sias High Table Dinner was held in the Banquet Hall on the first floor of Sias Library. Dr. Shawn Chen, Founder and Chairman of Sias University, Ma Jiansheng, Secretary of the CPC Sias Committee, President Liu Xiangyu, and Prof. Lucy Lu, Provost and Vice President of Sias University, attended the dinner. Dr. Alan Mills, the Tenure Music Professor of Colorado State University-Pueblo, Prof. Tim Metcalf, Dean of the College of Art and Design, Arts University, Bournemouth, and the delegation attending the First Henan International Culture Festival for Educators and Students from China and Abroad themed “Accompanying You in YU: A Journey of Flowers and Melodies Along the Belt and Road.” The dinner was hosted by Mr. Yue Junliang, Director of Sias Office of International Affairs.

Dr. Chen noted that this esteemed High Table Dinner fortuitously aligned with the grand opening of our Sias 26th International Cultural Week, which attracted a diverse array of international scholars and students from various esteemed universities across Henan Province, who have graced our campus with their presence and expressed their profound affection for Sias. Such expressions of admiration have filled the hearts of us with immense pride and honor. Furthermore, Dr. Chen expressed his earnest hope that the High Table Dinner, a cherished tradition of Sias University, would serve as a pivotal platform for our students to enhance their composure and foster an unwavering confidence in navigating formal social settings. Through this experience, he aspired for each student to encounter and embrace a more refined, self-assured version of themselves.

Dr. Alan Mills shared his experiences from school days, emphasized the value of diligent study, and encouraged students not to give up lightly. He suggested that university education transcends mere scores and diplomas; rather, it is a holistic endeavor aimed at fostering comprehensive development and elevating one's overall quality. Dr. Alan Mills encouraged everyone to actively engage with their mentors and teachers, utilizing their vast experience and wisdom to navigate the complexities of career planning, and seek mentorship from professionals working in fields of their interests. By doing so, he emphasized, students can more effectively chart their life's course, identify opportunities, and harness them to achieve their utmost potential.

Prof. Tim Metcalf shared his participation in a roundtable discussion at the 2024 Design and Education International Forum, emphasizing the significance of global citizenship. He pointed out that the concept of global citizenship transcends mere international boundaries, encompassing the diverse tapestry of cultures worldwide. Prof. Metcalf encouraged students to break down barriers and make connections with an open mind to create work that resonates globally. At the same time, he also believed that every student has the potential to be a change maker and facilitator.

At the end of 2024 Sias High Table Dinner, Dr. Chen and Prof. Tim Metcalf raised their glasses and toasted together, wishing everyone present the courage and perseverance to continue pursuing their dreams without ever giving up. The toast was not only a celebration of the evening's feast but also a hopeful gesture towards a shared, bright future. Through in-depth exchanges between guests and students, the high table dinner concluded in a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Mr. Yue Junliang, Director of Sias Office of International Affairs, Hosted the Dinner

Dr. Shawn Chen, Founder and Chairman of Sias University, Delivered a Speech

Dr. Alan Mills, the Tenure Music Professor of Colorado State University-Pueblo, Delivered a Speech

Prof. Tim Metcalf, Dean of the College of Art and Design, Arts University Bournemouth, Delivered a Speech

Dr. Chen and Prof. Tim Metcalf Proposed a Toast Together

2024 Sias High Table Dinner

Group Photo