On Monday 17 November 2014, Griffith University’s Vice Chancellor and President Professor Ian O’Connor had the great honour of hosting His Excellency Mr Zhu Xiaodan, the Governor of Guangdong Province China. His Excellency, in Australia on Premier Campbell Newman’s invitation for the Sino Australian Local Leaders Forum, made special mention of Griffith University’s long standing, and substantial, involvement in Guangdong Province.
Having had a long term focus on engagement with Asia, and in particular with China, specific projects and partnerships in Guangdong Province by Griffith University have included:
– Guangdong Province Hospital for Occupational Disease Prevention and Treatment
– Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention
– Guangdong Institute for Health Inspection
– Sun Yat-sen University
– South China University of Technology
– Guangdong Medical College
– Guangdong University of Finance
– Guangdong Pharmaceutical University
– Huawei Technologies
Professor Ian O’Connor noted in his opening address that Griffith University has had a long standing relationship with Guangdong Province with the former Vice Chancellor of Griffith having visited Sun Yat-sen University to establish a relationship before the first students had even started at Griffith.
His Excellency the Governor, was personally interested in Griffith University’s collaboration with industry in Guangdong Province, with Professor Sarah Todd, Pro Vice Chancellor (International) explaining that Griffith had been successful in obtaining work placements, industry internships and a Memorandum of Understanding with Huawei Technologies.
His Excellency the Governor and his entourage were then given a tour of the Sir Samuel Griffith Centre located at the Nathan campus.
The visit to Griffith University by His Excellency signifies the strong relationship and deepening bond that Griffith University has with the Province of Guangdong.
Written by Michelle Craig, International Relations Officer
