The Opening Ceremony of DMU 2008-2009 Academic Year and Welcome Party for Overseas Students was opened at 6:30 pm on 10th October at East Mountain Auditorium. The Vice President of Dalian Maritime University, Prof. Sun Yuqing, directors of related functional offices, deans and teachers from each college and department, supervisors of overseas students and foreign teachers were all present at the gathering. Director of International Cooperation and Exchange Office, Mr. Xu Bin hosted the ceremony. Mr. Xu made a brief introduction of DMU overseas student status of 2008-2009 academic year. He especially mentioned that the number of overseas students has reached 163 this year covering 48 countries and regions, which ranks first in universities and colleges of Dalian.

   At the Opening ceremony, the Vice President Prof. Sun Yuqing delivered a welcome speech to overseas students. On behalf of the President Prof. Wang Zuwen and all teaching staff and students of DMU, he expressed his warmest welcome to over 100 overseas students from over 40 countries and regions. Prof. Sun also made a brief introduction of DMU. He said since DMU was listed in the first batch of universities enrolled in Chinese Government Scholarship program in 1955, the University has educated and trained more than 4000 overseas students and high professionals for lots of countries and regions. He also mentioned that DMU is not just a campus, but also a big family and he encouraged overseas students to work hard and participate in the University’s mission to be steadfast, rigorous, industrious and pioneering. He was also looking forward to celebrating their achievements when overseas students graduate.

   Representative of teaching staff of Chinese language training, Associate Professor Zhang Ping made a speech at the Opening Ceremony. She was very glad to see so many overseas students coming to study in DMU. She expressed that all teaching staff will abide by teaching rules, be strict with themselves, keeping learning and work hard. She also hoped that overseas students will always remember DMU as a big happy and warm family after they graduate and return to their home countries.

   Ms. Armentano Ester (Chinese name Ai Mingguang) is from the University of Rome, Italy majoring in Chinese Culture. She made a speech on behalf of new overseas students. She expressed her respect and appreciation to DMU and hoped that all overseas students could quickly adapt themselves to this big family, keep in heart the school motto, and work hard to reach good achievements.

   After the Opening Ceremony, the Welcome Party for Overseas Students began. The Welcome Party was sponsored by International Cooperation and Exchange Office, undertaken by Volunteers Association of Foreign Affairs and hosted by Chinese and overseas students in English and Chinese. Together with Chinese students, students from Korea, Panama, Poland, Bengal, Sri Lanka, the Republic of Congo, Micronesia, Benin, Seychelles, Germany, Russia, Mongolia etc. presented a splendid show to the attending leaders, teaching staff and students. The Welcome Party was started by the song DMU Welcomes You by over 20 Chinese and overseas students, which received big applause. This song deeply expressed the common idea of all DMU teaching staff and students. Programs of the show were wonderful and various, including Salsa dance, Indian Style dance, African Style dance, Hula, Russian Folk Song and Chinese Poetry Recitation presented by overseas students themselves; and Chinese folk songs, Chinese and English pop songs and dance presented by overseas and Chinese students together, which all drew thunderous applause from the audience. Chinese students also played ancient instruments such as two-stringed Chinese Fiddle, koto, flute and Dunhuang dance that present the charm of Chinese ancient culture. Thanks to the efforts of all participating students, the whole Welcome Party delivered a splendid cultural banquet to the audience. The atmosphere was hot which actually represented the fact that DMU is a big family with Chinese and overseas people being together harmoniously and cheerfully.

   At the end of the Welcome Party, the Vice President Prof. Sun Yuqing, directors of related functional offices and deans of each college and department went onto the stage and took photos with all players. The Opening Ceremony of DMU 2008-2009 Academic Year and Welcome Party for Overseas Students was closed successfully in hot atmosphere.

   This activity was DMU’s first large scale opening ceremony and welcome party for overseas students. We believe that with the support from leaders of the University, and the mutual efforts from related offices, DMU’s overseas students work will be further improved and overseas students scale will be continuously enlarged.

                                          International Cooperation and Exchange Office, DMU
                                                         October 11th, 2008