Source: Office of International Cooperation & Exchange
Written by: Office of International Cooperation & Exchange
Proofread by: Ding Ling
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

On the afternoon of July 23, a 31-person delegation led by Mr. Gérard Collomb, Mayor of Lyon, visited SYSU. Members of the delegation included Deputy Mayor of Lyon, Vice-President of Greater Lyon Urban Community, officials of City of Lyon and Greater Lyon Urban Community, representatives of the industry and commerce, higher education, cultural institutions and the media in Lyon. Professor Wei Minghai, Vice President of SYSU, met with the delegation in W. T. Chan Auditorium of Lingnan Hall, accompanied by Professor Wen Wushao, Deputy Director of Office of International Cooperation & Exchange of SYSU. Persons in charge of relevant projects in Lingnan College, School of Foreign Languages, School of International Studies and School of Engineering of SYSU attended the meeting. Mr. Wang Fuchun, Deputy Director General of Foreign Affairs Office of Guangzhou Municipal Government, Ms. Céline Huang and Ms. Sophie Quach from French Consulate General in Guangzhou also accompanied the delegation.

Vice President Wei Minghai extended a warm welcome to the delegation and introduced the educational collaborations between SYSU and Lyon, including France-China MBA Program, Confucius Institute, Sino-France Organizational Study Center at SYSU, as well as student exchange and joint degree programs. He pointed out that SYSU and Lyon Universities had established a long term partnership, and he hoped that the two sides would deepen cooperation and expand cooperation into the enterprises run by SYSU alumni.

Mr. Gérard Collomb, Mayor of Lyon, said that it was his fourth visit to Guangzhou and second visit to SYSU, the first being in 2001. He hoped to take this opportunity to enhance friendship between Lyon and SYSU. He pointed out that SYSU and Lyon Universities had a good tradition of cooperation and exchange with fruitful results. He hoped to promote the cooperation to a higher level.

Professor Jacques Comby, President of University Lyon III, gave a speech in the meeting. He reviewed the long term collaborations between the two universities, hoped to deepen the partnership and agreed to expand the area of cooperation into enterprises.

It is learned that this year is the 25th anniversary of the establishment of friendly relations between Guangzhou and Lyon. Guangzhou has hosted celebrations, and Lyon will send arts groups to perform in Guangzhou. Since the establishment of friendly relations, Guangzhou and Lyon have carried out cooperation and exchange in the fields of economy, culture and education, achieving fruitful results and forming a close partnership.