Northern Hubei Schools Lobby for U.S. Linkages

July 8-10, 2009:  During her visits to Xiangfan and Shiyan in northern Hubei, Consul General Lyle made time to visit educational institutions and reach out to academicians and students.  In Xiangfan, Consul General Lyle paid her first visit to Xiangfan University, an important institution funded by both central and local governments, with 700 professors and 18,000 students.  The university has sponsored joint programs with Canada, Russia, Australia and New Zealand, and is working on a collaborative program with Sam Houston University. It hires 15 teachers from the U.S. to teach English in its Foreign Languages Department.  

Consul General Lyle held a roundtable at Xiangfan University with the faculty members

Consul General Lyle was welcomed by Vice President Ding Shixue and Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs Yin Li and a team of teachers of English.   In response to the university’s keen interest in building closer ties with U.S. institutions, Consul General Lyle talked about a series of collaborative programs she has introduced to other universities in central China, including the International Visitors Leadership Program, Summer Institutes for U.S. Studies, Student Leadership Summer Institutes, Fulbright Specialists and English Teaching Program.   Consul General Lyle also talked about the energetic rule of law programming she has been promoting in central China.  Vice President Ding responded with great enthusiasm in accepting 50 books on the American legal system on behalf of its law school.  Vice President Ding also welcomes periodical guest speakers offered by the Consulate General.  

As a former teacher of English and Chinese, Consul General Lyle held a roundtable session with English teachers during the second half of the meeting to address and comment on such issues as interactive teaching methods, interpretation techniques, educational reform and studying in the U.S.   Consul General Lyle also took the opportunity to distribute USInfo DVDs and promote the Consulate General’s English and Chinese web sites.

Left: Xiangfan University Professors were presented with USG publications and DVDs in the blue Consulate General Wuhan Book Bag.  Right: Student performers at Wudangshan Martial Arts School

In Wudangshan Martial Arts School near Shiyan, Consul General Lyle was treated to special performances of the Wudang Sect of Chinese martial arts by award-winning student performers who have performed many times in international martial arts festivals.  Consul General Lyle applauded their solid techniques and presented them with DVDs and books on American people and society, in view of their keen interest to perform in front of American audiences in the future.

Consul General Lyle presented to Wudangshan Martial Arts School student leaders with USG publications and DVDs in the blue Consulate General Wuhan Book Bag