On the morning of November 3^rd, 2013, Doctor/ Professor Jiang Fan, the president of Australia China Culture & Education Exchange Center Pty Ltd. and the Columbia College, was invited to Hunan Women’s University to give a lecture on Australian Culture. Organized by the International Center, the lecture was presided over by President Luo Ting. The attendees included Vice President Li Junbo, and teachers and students from the International Center, International Education Center, Foreign Language Department and the Women/Gender Research & Women’s Education Center.<?xml:namespace prefix = o />

Doctor Jiang gave us an introduction to the general situation of Australia including the history, politics, economy, education, women’s social status, and social welfare system and so on, and shared his 23 years’ experience of living and working in Australia with all of us. He also compared the Australian people to their national treasure Kangaroo and emu that always step forward bravely without turning back. Moreover, he encouraged the students to study hard and advance towards the world. The wonderful and vivid lecture won resounding applause from the teachers and students from time to time.

At last, President Luo Ting gave a brief summary of the lecture. She pointed out that all the teachers and students benefited a lot from the wonderful, lively and vivid lecture and Australia is an attractive country for its rich and profound culture. She also encouraged the teachers and students to stand high and aim far, study hard, get acquainted with the culture of the English-speaking countries, go global, broaden their horizons and feel concerned about their motherland. At last, warm applause marked the end of the successful lecture.

Doctor/Professor Jiang Fan, a senior scholar engaged in Sino-Australian cultural exchange for many years, is an outstanding representative of Chinese Australian. At present, he is also the president of Australia China Culture & Education Exchange Center Pty Ltd., President of Australia Jiang Family Group Co., Ltd., president of the Columbia College, vice president of the board of directors of Ausinan Science &Technology Society Incorporated (ASTS) and so on. He has been committed to the exchange of culture, education, science and technology between Australia and China over the years, so he has close ties with the Australian federal government, many state governments and more than 10 colleges and universities such as the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales etc. Over the past 20 years, Australia China Culture & Education Exchange Center Pty Ltd. has arranged hundreds of exchange activities between two countries. Therefore, he has made great contribution to the extension of the exchange and cooperation between the governments of two countries and was highly praised by both countries.

After the lecture, the leaders from the Education Department of Hunan Province including Mr. Shu Fanqing, vice inspector, Ms. Wang Hongbing, director of the International Exchange Division, and Ms. Zheng Hairong, deputy director of the Finance Division met with Doctor Jiang Fan and had an amiable and friendly talk with him. (Written and translated by Ms. Long Min from the International Affairs Office)