The first ever opening ceremony at Fujian Normal University (FNU) for a single country was held at FNU Qi Shan Campus last September 2, 2019. The said ceremony was attended by The Friends of the Philippines Foundation, FNU Vice Chairman of the Board Mr. Xu Mingliang (Jose Koh), Fujian People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Fujian Province Department of Education represented by Director Zhou Er Ming, FNU executives Mr. Li Bao Yin and Mr. Lai Hai Rong, professors and representatives from International College of Chinese Studies (ICCS), Soledad College, and other associated departments. The ceremony was presided by FNU Vice President Mr. Lai Hai Rong.
The ceremony was also attended by 83 undergraduate and post-graduate students from the Philippines under ICCS majoring in Chinese Language Teaching, and Soledad College Master’s Degree Program majoring in International Business, Business Administration, Tourism Management, and Environmental Engineering.
During the ceremony, a special video was presented as a tribute to Mrs. Soledad Roa Duterte, a famous educator, philanthropist, social activist, and the late mother of the current President of the Philippines, Mr. Rodrigo Duterte. On account of her legendary humanitarian contributions, she was affectionately called “Nanay Soling.”
Founded in 2017 and sponsored by The Friends of the Philippines Foundation, Soledad College aims to promote the spirit of “persistence, dedication, and love” and mainly admits graduates from outstanding Philippine universities. Admitted students are entitled for a full scholarship under the Master’s Degree Program of the university. Trainings for government officials, senior management of industry and commerce enterprises will also be organized as part of strengthening the cultural exchanges and cooperative friendship between China and the Philippines.
In his speech, Mr. Rong mentioned that the university has always been committed in promoting cultural exchanges and furthering education programs with the Philippines. In cooperation with FNU, Angeles University Foundation in the Philippines established its Confucius Institute quarters to promote Chinese Language Curriculum among public high school teachers. Special language course trainings were also offered for government officials in the news department and civil servants. Moreover, outstanding students from the Philippines are admitted in the university in efforts of creating platform for expanding educational and cultural changes between the two countries. Mr. Li also encouraged all students to live by the principles left by Nanay Soling.
Mr. Chen, member of the Fujian Provincial Foreign Affairs and the Vice-President of the Fujian People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, also pointed out the closed relationship of the university with the ASEAN Countries such as the Philippines. Soledad College is established in hopes of deepening the cooperative relationship between China and the Philippines and to appreciate the culture and tradition of China and Fujian. Graduates are hoped to contribute to the economic and civic development of the Philippines, and sustain the Sino-Philippine friendship.
Dr. Cheng Jun Heng, representative from the faculty, also shared her sentiments in providing excellent teaching methods, and encouraged all students to become messengers of cross-cultural communication.
Jessy Delos Santos, student representative, expressed her gratitude to The Friends of the Philippines Foundation. She mentioned also that Nanay Soling’s drive will surely inspire and illuminate the path of endeavor. She hoped that all Filipinos who are present today will live up to their expectations. She also mentioned not only to bring the China’s advanced Science and Technology teachings back to the Philippines, but also to bring the happiness of friendship with the Chinese community.
At present, maintaining closed and productive educational cooperation and talent exchange is achieved thru admitting international students, training local teachers, and other related projects which are helpful and beneficial for both countries.
福建师范大学举行2019级菲律宾来华留学生开学典礼
我校9月2日在旗山校区举行2019级菲律宾来华留学生开学典礼，这是我校首次为单一国家留学生举办开学典礼。菲律宾友好基金创会主席、我校董事会副董事长许明良，福建省人民对外友好协会副会长陈出新、福建省教育厅对外合作交流处周而明处长，校领导李宝银、赖海榕，学校相关部处及海外教育学院、索莱达学院师生等参加了开学典礼。开学典礼由副校长赖海榕主持。
2019级菲律宾来华留学生共有83位参加了开学典礼。他们中有本科生、研究生，分别就读于海外教育学院和索莱达学院，主修国际商务、工商管理、旅游管理、汉语言、汉语师范、环境工程等专业。
现场，师生们共同观看介绍索莱达夫人光辉一生的专题视频。索莱达女士是菲律宾总统杜特尔特的母亲，菲律宾著名的教育家、慈善家和社会活动家，被菲律宾人民亲切地称为“索莱妈妈”。
2017年，我校和菲律宾友好基金联合创办索莱达学院，旨在弘扬索莱达女士“坚毅、奉献、仁爱”的精神，主要招收菲律宾优秀大学毕业生来华深造学习，开展全额奖学金硕士学位教育项目，并不定期举办菲律宾政府公务员、工商企业高级管理人员赴闽研修、培训活动，积极拓展中菲教育文化交流与合作，务实推动中菲友谊健康发展。首批学生已于2019年3月入校学习。
校党委书记李宝银在致辞中表示，我校一直以来致力于推进中菲教育文化交流合作。学校与菲律宾红溪礼士大学合作举办的孔子学院，不仅承担了菲律宾教育部公立中学的汉语课程建设、汉语师资培训、汉语教材编写等任务，还为菲律宾总统府新闻部及下属机构公务员教授汉语课程；学校专门设立的索莱达学院，招收菲律宾优秀学生来华学习，努力为中菲教育合作开辟新平台，促进中菲文化交流取得新发展。李书记勉励留学生们践行“索莱妈妈”精神，勤学笃行，奋发成才，努力成为中菲文化的传播者和两国友谊的促进者。
福建省外办党组成员、福建省人民对外友好协会专职副会长陈出新致辞指出，我校与菲律宾等东盟国家保持密切交流，开展了卓有成效的教育合作，为加深中国与东盟的友谊做出了积极的贡献，索莱达学院设立意义非凡，希望同学们认真学习专业知识，用心体会中国和福建传统文化，学成之后在菲律宾经济建设和社会发展中大展宏图，并为中菲友谊永续发展作出贡献。
教师代表程俊恒博士发言，表示会扎实做好教学工作，努力与同学们共同进步，一起让教学之旅充实而又快乐，并勉励同学们做跨文化交流的友谊使者。
学生代表Delos santos Jessy发言时，对我校和菲律宾友好基金表达感谢，并表示索莱妈妈的精神将鼓舞并照耀学习奋进之路，他们将努力不负众望，学好知识，不仅把中国先进的科学技术文化带回菲律宾，更把中国人民的美好情谊带回菲律宾。
目前，我校与菲律宾等东盟国家正保持密切而卓有成效的教育合作，通过招收留学生、培训当地师资以及职业能力培训等项目，以顺应中菲两国经贸人文交流人才所需。
校党委书记李宝银致辞
副校长赖海榕主持开学典礼
校董事会副董事长许明良先生与师生合影
