With the cooperation of P-NUT, the Faculty Club and the International Office, Chinese year 4704 began last Sunday at the UT with an expansive dinner at a very full Faculty Club. General manager Ineke Baas welcomed the guests and outlined the goals of the upcoming PhD orientation workshops, to be held in conjunction with P-NUT, as part of a year-long theme of internationalization. Rector Henk Zijm then spoke about the importance of fostering cooperation with China. Zijm welcomed everyone and cited the importance of retaining and sharing one's culture while living abroad. He recalled the warm welcome he received when traveling to China and noted the generosity of the ACSSNL in sharing this first day of the 15-day-long celebration— traditionally a very important time for family and close friends. `Our ever globalizing world calls for understanding to overcome problems together and build strong networks for the benefit of all,' said Zijm.
Mr. Guangwu Tong, first secretary of the Chinese Embassy's Education and Science research section, also spoke about the mutually beneficial strong ties between China and the Netherlands, especially the UT. Last year alone, some 7000 Chinese students came to study in the Netherlands. Speeches were followed by a delicious dinner.
Afterwards, fireworks marked the start of the New Year and a move to a bigger party at the Bastille. Raffle tickets were given to each attendee and drawings for prizes were held throughout the night. In the Bastille atrium things heated up quickly. ACSSNL secretary Yanhong Zhao presided as an exuberant MC through a night of traditional song and dance, a riddle contest, karaoke, Chinese animation, and even a breakdancing exhibition and workshop to a packed house. International Office head Karin Paardenkooper took the stage and noted how impressive the whole night had become, `This is what our goals are about; getting people together and supporting these wonderful and active student associations… it gives a sense of the globalized world here in Twente.'
International Management professor and ACSSNL advisor Sirp de Boer was also quite enthusiastic, `It's an inspiration for other student groups; the Chinese association has really matured and improved every year. Celebrating and sharing these cultural events with the larger UT community really encourages integration in an exciting and effective way!'
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