New Consul General of Italy in Guangzhou Visited GDUFS

North Campus, Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, October 15^th 2018: Lucia Pasqualini, the new Consul General of Italy in Guangzhou, visited GDUFS with her team. SHI Youqi, President of GDUFS, met the guests in the Reception Hall in the Administration Building. The two sides held discussions on various topics: construction of the Italian major at GDUFS, talent cultivation, and Italian Language Week.

The two sides had an amicable discussion

SHI Youqi welcomed Lucia Pasqualini’s first visit and thanked the Consulate General on behalf of the University for continuously supporting the construction of teaching team, talent cultivation and international communication of the Italian Department. With the support of the Consulate of Italy in Guangzhou, GDUFS enrolled the first batch of students for the Italian major in September of 2002, and is now the only Italian undergraduate teaching institute in the Southern China Region. Currently, GDUFS has established a relationship of cooperation and communication with multiple colleges in Italy and has launched such cooperative programs as mutual teacher’s visits, exchange of students, and an overseas practice base. Next year, the University will apply to set up the courses of the master’s degree in Italian study. At last, SHI Youqi congratulated on the success of the Italian Language Week beforehand.

Lucia Pasqualini expressed her congratulations on the achievements the Italian Department has gained. She noted that with the increasing communication between China and Italy, there are more and more students learning Italian. Though Italian is not internationally used, it is a valuable heritage of mankind which carries the ancient culture. Learning Italian is not limited to literature but can also be blended with aspects like technology. The Consulate General of Italy in Guangzhou is willing to continue offering support and help for the development of the Italian Department of the university.

Group photo

CAI Hong, Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, and YANG Ke, Dean of the Faculty of European Languages and Cultures, as well as teachers from the Italian Department attended the meeting.

Another message

Every October, the Italian cultural centers and diplomatic agencies around the world will hold the activities for spreading Italian overseas. On October 15th, the 18th Italian Language Week was held in the auditorium of the library, on the north campus of GDUFS. This Italian Language Weekset the theme as “Italian and the web, social networks for the Italian Language”. Lucia Pasqualini, the Consul General of Italy of the Consulate General in Guangzhou; Rossella Giaometti, the cultural attache of Italy of the Consulate General in Guangzhou; YANG Ke, Dean of the Faculty of European Languages and Cultures; and teachers and students of the Italian Department participated in the opening ceremony.

Group photo of the participants

Lucia Pasqualini said in her speech that the most important ambassadors for spreading Italian culture are students who learn Italian. She has devoted herself to the research of the “Italian and the web, social networks for the Italian Language” for three years. However, this theme is more difficult than the previous year’s. The “net” refers not only to the Internet, but also the connection of various things in life. Lucia Pasqualini also shared her own experience of language learning, “Language is very complicated. Learning a language is absolutely not only about the language itself, but also the systems about a series of concepts and meanings. There are many things hidden behind the language”. She also used some vivid examples in a humorous tone to express her opinion that some words, failing to be translated, can only be understood when one experiences them by himself. Lucia Pasqualini hoped this activity can help people reflect on the Italian language and culture, as well as their own future.

YANG Ke mentioned in the speech that there will be a series of activities like keynote lectures that enables students to experience authentic Italian language and culture feasts, opening the door of Italian culture for teachers and students during the Italian Language Week. In the meantime, she pointed out that GDUFS is a key base for international talent cultivation; foreign language cultures; international trade and economics; and research for international studiesin Southern China Region. The University is dedicated to promoting the integration between the major teaching and foreign language teaching with the motto “Pursuit of Integrity, Practice and Cross-cultural Learning”.