Delegation from Harding University Visits GDUFS and Attends the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Bilateral Cooperation

From October 24 to 25, Dr. David Collins, Vice President and Dean of the College of International Education at Harding University, and his delegation visited Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS) and attended the celebration marking the 20th anniversary of cooperation between the two universities.

On the morning of October 24, Yang Li, Vice President of GDUFS, met with the delegation in the VIP Hall of the Administration Building of the Baiyun Mountain Campus. The two sides exchanged views on expanding joint training programs, celebrating the 20th anniversary of cooperation, and deepening the partnership between the two universities.

Highlight from the Meeting

During the meeting, Yang Li introduced the university’s school-running achievements and international characteristics. He noted that as a key institution under Guangdong’s High-Level University Development Program, GDUFS attaches great importance to educational internationalization, advancing tasks such as the establishment of high-end international cooperation platforms and the acceleration of international scientific research and social service capacities to further solidify its foundation for the university’s international exchanges and cooperation. This meeting coincides with the important milestone of 20th anniversary of cooperation between GDUFS and Harding University. Yang reviewed the fruitful history of collaboration between the two universities. He highlighted that through close partnership, more than 600 GDUFS students have pursued further studies at Harding University. The collaboration has yielded fruitful results for joint talent cultivation and built a solid bridge for friendship between both sides. Looking ahead, he expressed hope that both universities would take this opportunity to broaden cooperation, create more diverse and convenient channels for students’ learning and exchanges, and explore new areas for collaboration in faculty and student visits as well as scientific research, thereby laying a more solid foundation for a long-term and stable partnership between the two universities.

Dr. David Collins expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and highly commended the achievements of the two universities’ cooperation over the past 20 years. He also extended his congratulations on the 60th anniversary of GDUFS. He introduced Harding University as a top private institution in the southern United States, known for its high-quality education and authentic English-language environment. Upholding the student-centered philosophy of “safety, freedom, and health,” Harding University provides comprehensive services for international students and enjoys a strong reputation. Dr. Collins welcomed more GDUFS students to study and exchange at Harding University, emphasizing that the university has always valued its cooperation with GDUFS, and will continue to promote exchanges between Chinese and American youth by organizing themed summer camps, short-term programs in China, and other initiatives to send more American students to China for cultural and academic exchanges, contributing to mutual learning in education between Chinese and American youths.

Group Photo

On the evening of October 25, Yang Li attended and delivered a speech at the inauguration ceremony of the Harding University China Alumni Association and the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Cooperation between Harding University and GDUFS. He noted that over the past two decades, the cooperation between GDUFS and Harding University has been driven by a shared vision for international education. Harding University was the first American partner university of the GDUFS’s International Undergraduate Program. Through rigorous and pragmatic collaboration, the “2+2” and “2+2.5” joint programs have cultivated many indispensable talents in various industries. The growth and achievements of alumni from both universities are not only the result of their individual efforts but also the most vivid and powerful testimony to the success of educational cooperation between the two universities. Yang extended warm congratulations on the establishment of the Harding University China Alumni Association and cordially invited all alumni to return to campus to participate in the 60th Anniversary Celebration of GDUFS.

Dr. David Collins delivered a passionate speech at the ceremony, expressing appreciation for GDUFS’s contributions to joint student training and presenting the university with a “Best Partner” commemorative plaque.

Highlight from the Presentation Ceremony of the “Best Partner” Commemorative Plaque

Representatives from the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, the School of Business, and the International College were also present at the meeting and the celebration.