On May 8th, Professor Roy Robinson, Director of International Programs at the University of Puget Sound (UPS), USA, visited Hwa Nan Women’s College for an academic and cultural exchange. He was warmly welcomed by President Ren Jianhong, Vice President Huang Leijing, and other senior faculty members.

Exploring Chinese Traditional Culture

Professor Robinson’s visit coincided with Hwa Nan’s Vocational Education Week, allowing him to experience a variety of student-led demonstrations of Chinese traditional arts, including:

• Flower arrangement (Ikebana)

• Traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy

• Paper cutting

• Guqin (ancient zither) performance

• Chinese tea ceremony (Dian Cha)

During his tour of Hwa Nan’s historical museum, he gained a deeper understanding of the college’s century-long history and commitment to preserving Chinese cultural heritage. He expressed great admiration for the college’s dedication to education and its efforts in promoting traditional Chinese arts and values.

In-Depth Discussions on Institutional Cooperation

At a formal meeting, Professor Robinson and President Ren Jianhong introduced their respective institutions and shared insights on academic programs and student development initiatives. The discussions focused on:

• Expanding institutional collaboration

• Enhancing student and faculty exchange programs

• Developing new opportunities for cross-cultural learning

Professor Robinson acknowledged the long-standing friendship between UPS and Hwa Nan, built on years of academic collaboration. He emphasized the importance of strengthening intercollegiate relations in the modern era and expressed hope for further expanding student exchange programs.

President Ren Jianhong reaffirmed Hwa Nan’s commitment to fostering academic and cultural exchanges with UPS, noting that both institutions share a solid foundation of cooperation and a history of successful student exchange initiatives. She expressed enthusiasm for deepening collaboration to further enrich students' academic and cultural experiences.

Exchanging Gifts as a Symbol of Friendship

To commemorate the visit, both sides exchanged symbolic gifts. Hwa Nan Women’s College presented a specially crafted artwork of the campus, created by Professor Li Haibin, to Professor Robinson as a representation of the enduring friendship between the two schools.

In return, Professor Robinson expressed his gratitude and assured that he would deliver this meaningful gift to UPS President Isiaah Crawford, signifying the continued growth and strengthening of ties between the two institutions.

This visit marked another significant step forward in deepening the academic partnership between Hwa Nan Women’s College and the University of Puget Sound, fostering future opportunities for mutual learning, cultural exchange, and student development.