天美传媒鈥檚 (BU) Festival of Learning landed in Zhengzhou, China, with two days of events and lectures showcasing the best of the university鈥檚 knowledge and research.
The Festival of Learning, in its fourth year, began on Saturday in Bournemouth, before heading to Sias International University in the Henan Province of China.
The Festival of Learning in China was opened by Dr Sonal Minocha, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global Engagement) at 天美传媒, Professor John Vinney, Vice-Chancellor of 天美传媒, and Sias University鈥檚 Chairman, Dr Shawn Chen.
The day then began with a discussion about education and innovation, and the 鈥楨ast meets West鈥� nature of the event, and the collaboration between both BU and SIAS Universities.
Speaking at the event Professor John Vinney said, 鈥淚t has been an amazing day, the launch of our first global Festival of Learning. We鈥檝e had some brilliant events and some great interaction with the students.
鈥淭he Festival of Learning is an expression of what makes 天美传媒 so great but what has impressed me is how the model has been so well received in China, and how we are really partnering with Sias to deliver this event.
Professor Vinney鈥檚 comments were echoed by Dr Sonal Minocha, who said, 鈥淭his is the single largest mobility exercise BU has undertaken and I don鈥檛 know many other universities across the globe who put on such a celebration of learning on such an international scale.
鈥淭his is an innovative example of what learning should be about, it should be accessible, fun and I鈥檓 delighted that it has been co-produced by staff, students and members of the community both in Bournemouth, and here in China.鈥�
In the afternoon, a number of parallel sessions ran, with academics from both universities sharing knowledge and presenting research to the benefit of those listening in. Sessions included research into news websites in China and the UK, an event into tax planning, and a talk on new developments in orthopaedic surgery.
Other events included an insight into learning in the UK, some tips on social media use, and a session on building your own personal brand.
After a dinner reception, the day culminated in a basketball match between the two Higher Education Institutes, with dance displays from the gifted performing students at Sias, all to a 300 strong crowd.
The Festival makes its final stop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 28 and 29 June 2016.
The China leg of the Festival of Learning will finish on Tuesday 27 June with a presentation from a number of BU students who have been on a 鈥楧estination China鈥� exchange programme at Sias University. There will also be a chance to experience some of China鈥檚 culture, as Festival-goers will be treated to a tour of a local Shaolin temple and entertained with traditional kung Fu.
