The Chinese ambassador to Ireland, H.E. Jianguo Xu, last week met with the provost, Dr Patrick Prendergast, on a visit to Trinity College during which they discussed relations between Trinity and Chinese universities.
The ambassador said the Chinese Embassy in Ireland would always be available to provide assistance in promoting Trinity College and developing “education cooperation between China and TCD.”
During his visit on 21st January, Ambassador Xu also received a tour of the Old Library, during which he viewed the Book of Kells.
Late last year, Trinity College announced a new master’s course in Chinese studies and inaugurated the Trinity Centre for Asian Studies. The MPhil in Chinese Studies was supported by a donation from a Trinity Alumnus, Dr Sam Lam, based in Hong Kong. In October, the College announced a newly designed Chinese language website alongside a new scholarship for prospective Chinese undergraduate students to study at Trinity College.
These moves appear to be furthering Trinity’s aim, expressed in the global relations strategy, of “building a global reputation as a world-leading university.”
The visit follows a trip by the provost, in 2012, to China and Hong Kong, during which he met with alumni of Trinity College based in China.
Photo: Lorraine Teevan
