Peking University, Oct. 30, 2012: The delegation of the University of Auckland (UA), led by Vice-Chancellor Stuart McCutcheon, visited Peking University (PKU) on October 24 and was received by PKU Vice President Li Yansong. The two sides held a meeting aimed at strengthening the bilateral relationship and cooperation.

Prof. McCutcheon (left) and Prof. Li

In the meeting, President Li introduced the development of PKU’s international communications and exchange programs. Mentioning the tripartite agreements with Shihezi University and Massey University, he hoped PKU and UA could establish the same kind of relationship. He also advocated the promotion of the New Zealand Center at PKU in order to deepen the understanding between China and New Zealand, and encourage the bilateral cooperation in many fields.

Professor McCutcheon voiced his agreement on the advice. Later on, he stated that with the economic development and improvement of living standards, people are more concerned with food quality. Facing this demand, New Zealand is attaching more importance to the nutrition of foods. Noticing China confronting the same situation, he strongly asked for the close and effective cooperation between the two countries so as to promote food safety and health.

After the meeting, the both sides launched the opening ceremony of the Food and Health Program.

In the ceremony, UA Professor Grant Guilford gave a lecture titled “The Value of Food Safety and Health”, expressing people’s increasing concern about food safety and quality. Apart from New Zealand Government’s much attention to agricultural production and food exports, he also introduced the UA’s educational programs concerning agriculture, food health, nutrition, and so on. He encouraged Chinese universities to actively take part in these programs.

Background Info:

The University of Auckland, located in Auckland, is the largest university in New Zealand, ranked 83rd worldwide in the 2012 QS World University Rankings. Established in 1883 as a constituent college of the University of New Zealand, the university is made up of eight faculties over six campuses, and has more than 40,000 students and nearly 4700 international students from over 90 countries worldwide.

UA provides the most conjoint combinations in New Zealand, with over 50 combinations allowing students to achieve multiple degrees in a shortened period of time.

The New Zealand Center at PKU was jointly established on May 21, 2007 by PKU, UA and other top universities in New Zealand, along with New Zealand Government. It aims at promoting PKU’s research on New Zealand and strengthening the political, economic and academic communications between China and New Zealand.

Written by: Liao Songyuan
Edited by: Arthars
Source: PKU News (Chinese)