UTS has become the first university in Australia to be gifted with an entire Chinese library by the Government of the People's Republic of China.
Madame Cui Yuying, Vice Minister of China's State Council Information Office formally presented the Chiina Library to UTS at a ceremony that included senior representatives of the Chinese Government, leading Chinese business identities and UTS leaders.
Prof Peter Booth (L) Madame Cui Yuying & Prof William Purcell
The China Library program was initiated by President Xi Jinping to enable the world to experience all aspects of China. It comprises a comprehensive information centre which includes books, audio visual materials and multimedia displays, as well as reading and study areas. UTS will be the eighth location worldwide to receive a China Library. The resource will augment UTS's growing reputation as a centre of knowledge in Australia-China relations and will be available to students, staff and the wider community.
The design of the libraries reflects Chinese culture, showcases the country's image, demonstrates China’s development and achievement and symbolises the friendship formed with host countries.
UTS Provost Professor Peter Booth said UTS was proud to be the first and only Australian university selected by the People’s Republic of China to receive this important cultural and education resource that would enhance our study and understanding of China.
"UTS has had a long and deep relationship with China on many levels and was recently recognised as one of the most internationalised universities in the world, something we take very seriously and value greatly as an institution that seeks to work on the global stage," Professor Booth said.
"We have key technology partnerships with Beijing Institute of Technology, Shanghai University, Huazong University of Science and Technology and most recently Sun-Yat Sen University. These foster extensive research links, student exchanges, fellowships and dual PhDs. We also collaborate on research with a number of other universities there.
"UTS has more than 10,000 international students with approximately one third being Chinese students and in recent years more than 100 students participated in exchange programs between UTS and our partners in China.
"We also continue to forge important links with China's business leaders and are grateful for the contribution of a number of Chinese Australian benefactors, in particularl Dr Chau Chak Wing for his gift towards our new business school and an endowment for scholarships enabling students from both Australia and China to study on exchange.
"Last year we received a generous gift from Mr Xiangmo Huang to establish the Australia China Relations Institute, the first think-tank of its kind in the country dedicated solely to this relationship. A separate gift was made by Mr Chulong Zhou towards this Institute, increasing our ability to undertake further research."
China provides 5,000-10,000 copies of print and electronic publications relating to philosophy, politics, Hhstory, education, culture, science and technology, Chininese sanguage and contemporary Chinese life. Uupdates to the collection are made annually.
- Madame Cui Yuying, Vice Minister of China's State Council Information Office formally presented a China Library to UTS this week, becoming the eighth university to be honoured this way worldwide.
- An idea initiated by President Xi Jinping, China Libraries include books, audio visual materials and multimedia displays, as well as reading and study areas to enable the world to experience all aspects of China.