The Second NationalForeign Language Education Developing Forum for Institutes of Science and Technology

& The First Foreign Language Innovation Contest for Undergraduates Held in HUST

ByYang Rui FromForeign Language School

TranslatedBy Guan Ning; English Editor:Ma Yanhui

On August 21^st-23^rd, organized by The National Institutes of Science and Technology Committee of the Foreign Language Development Alliance of Chinese Higher Institutes, and assisted by Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, The Second National Foreign Language Education Developing Forum for Institutes of Science and Technology & The First Foreign Language Innovation Contest for Undergraduates were successfully held in HUST. Themed by “Cultivation of Foreign Language Talents in the New Era: Challenge vs. Future”, the forum is made up of the four important part of President’s meet-and-greet, major forum, sub forum and Foreign Language Innovation Contest for Undergraduates.

At 15:30 on August 21^st, president Zhaolin, deputy secretary of CPC Lu Yan and vice-president Liu Shenghui met the expert group consisting of Zha Mingjian, vice-president from Shanghai International Studies University;Hu Kaibao, director of The National Institutes of Science and Technology Committee of the Foreign Language Development Alliance of Chinese Higher Institutes, and Wang Xuemei, deputy secretary of the Foreign Language Development Alliance of Chinese Higher Institutes. At the meeting, president Zhao Lin spoke highly of the theme for the forum, and expressed his recognition and praise for the achievement of Foreign Language School in recent years and the preparation work done by Foreign Language School. Gao Xiujiang, secretary of the party committee and Zhen Yanhua, dean of the Foreign Language School both presented in the meeting.

At 8 am of August 22^nd, the opening ceremony of the forum was held in the Lecture Hall of the Main Building. Presented at the ceremony were vice-president Liu Shenghui, Zha Mingjian, vice-president from Shanghai International Studies University, vice-president from Shanghai International Studies University, Hu Kaibao, director of The National Institutes of Science and Technology Committee of the Foreign Language Development Alliance of Chinese Higher Institutes, and Wang Xuemei, deputy secretary of the Foreign Language Development Alliance of Chinese Higher Institutes, as well as the cadres from Foreign Language School. Dean of Foreign Language School Zhen Yanhua hosted the ceremony.

Vice-president Liu Shenghui delivered a speech of welcome; Zha Mingjian, vice-president of Shanghai International Studies University and deputy secretary of the Foreign Language Development Alliance of Chinese Higher Institutes, congratulated the successful holding of the forum; Hu Kaibao, director of The National Institutes of Science and Technology Committee of the Foreign Language Development Alliance of Chinese Higher Institutes, expressed his thanks for thepreparation and shared his understanding of the challenges and opportunities confronting the foreign language majors in institutes of science and technology.

The forum and contest began after the brief yet grand opening ceremony. The forum includes five keynote speeches and five sub-forums. In the morning, the keynote speeches were made by distinguished experts, among whom were membersof the English Teaching Guiding Committee for Higher Institutes of the Ministry of Education, the specialist receiving a special allowance of the State Council, excellent talent of the new era elected by the Ministry of Education. In the afternoon, the five sub-forums entitled “Coordinative Development of Foreign Language Education and New Engineering Majors in Institutes of Science and Technology”, “The Integration of Foreign Language Education and New Fine Arts in Institutes of Science and Technology”, “The Construction of Foreign Language Majors in Institutes of Science and Technology”, “The Construction of Non-commonly Used Language Majors in Institutes of Science and Technology”, and “Construction of ‘Gold Class’ in Foreign Language Majors of Institutes of Science and Technology” witnessed the active, enthusiastic, thorough and fruitful discussions between the attendees.

The First Foreign Language Innovation Contest for Undergraduates consists of “The Innovation Paper Contest” and “The Innovation Project Contest”. This April, after the selection contests in northern,eastern and middle China, the innovation papers and projects of undergraduates from famous universities such as Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China University of Petroleum, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology made it to the finals, an innovation project of our university being also among the rank. After a fierce competition, our undergraduate Bu Qingqing’s project “Development and Application of a Phone App—Russian Fun Dubbing” (coached by Xu Pei, director of Russian Department in Foreign Language School)won the special prize. Deputy Secretary of CPC of HUST Lu Yan Presented the certificates to the prize-winners.

At 15:15 on August 22^nd, the closing ceremony was held in the lecture hall. Presented in the ceremony were Deputy Secretary of CPC of HUST Lu Yan, director of The National Institutes of Science and Technology Committee of the Foreign Language Development Alliance of Chinese Higher Institutes, the keynote speech speakers, the cadres of Foreign Language School and all the attendees. Professor Wang Gang from Shanghai University of Engineering Science,the secretary of the Foreign Language Development Alliance of Chinese Higher Institutes,presided over the ceremony;other experts such asZeng Gang, dean of the Foreign Language School in Dalian Maritime University;Liu Wenxia, dean of the Foreign Language School in North China University of Water Resources and Hydropower, and Chang Ying,vicedean of our Foreign Language School reported their sub-forums respectively. Zhao Xueqin, dean of Foreign Language School in Nanjing University of Science and Technology and Zhao Xiaolin, dean of foreignlanguage School in Donghua Foreign Language Institute commented on the “Foreign Language Innovation Paper Contest” and “Foreign Language Innovation Project Contest” respectively.

Director Hu Kaibao made a concluding speech. He spoke highly of the Foreign Language School led by dean Zhen Yanhua. He used five words to represent this gathering: 1. High-end, it included construction of majors, construction of “Gold Class”, Construction of Subject; 2. Extensive, there were both construction of subject on a macro level and specific class construction methods; 3. In-depth, it involved all the issues of the construction and development of foreign language education in institutes of science and technology; 4.Innovation, there were innovation of papers and projectsin this new era; 5. Enthusiasm, which was shown in the reception, detailed arrangement and organization of the organizing committee. On behalf of Shanghai Foreign Language Education Press, Wu An’an said that as a shared platform for the construction of foreign language majors in national institutes of science and technology, the National Institutes of Science and Technology Committee of the Foreign Language Development Alliance of Chinese Higher Institutes will proactively contribute to the development and improvement of foreign language majors in institutes of science and technology.

The leaders of HUST attached great importance to this meeting and provided instructivesuggestions. Departmentsconcernedalso provided substantial support:5 teams in Foreign Language School contributed to the meeting: experts reception team led by dean Zhen Yanhua, logistical team led by secretary of the School party committee Gao Xiujiang, committee affairs team led byvicedean Chang Ying, publicity team led by deputy secretary of the School party committee Zhou Xiaoli and contest team led byvicedean Ma Yanhui. During the summer vacation, many preparationmeetings were held and more than 100 faculties and student volunteersdevotedtheir vacation to contribute to the grand gathering. With the concerted effort, HUST provided the attendees with a great opportunity for academic research and foreign language innovation. (photographed by Xu Zhuang and Chen Boyang)