On March 25,UKuniversity students ��StudyChina�� program jointly organized by theUniversityofManchesterandZhejiangUniversitywas successfully launched. This program is sponsored byEngland,Northern IrelandandScotlandgovernment, andZhejiangUniversityhas been hosting the program for 5 consecutive years since 2008.

The opening ceremony, hosted by Prof. Wang Li, the Dean of theInternationalCollege, was held in the afternoon in SRRS Science Hall, Yuquan Campus. Prof. Song Yonghua, the Executive Vice President ofZhejiangUniversity, delivered a welcome speech at the opening ceremony. He first expressed warm welcome to 45 students from 24 universities inUKwho are going to spend 3 weeks inZhejiangUniversitytaking Chinese language classes and cultural experiences. Professor Song saidZhejiangUniversityhas a strong scientific and research background, and wide range of academic disciplines. It has established cooperative relations with more than 100 universities around the world. In year 2012, there were over 5000 international students from 130 countries currently attendingZhejiangUniversityfor different programs. Prof. Song expressed the wish of promoting the international influence ofZhejiangUniversitythrough furthering the exchange and cooperation with overseas universities.

Prof. Song encouraged students fromUKto take this opportunity to study the language, experience Chinese culture and communicate with Chinese students. After class, students can have a tour aroundHangzhou, a city of beautiful views and long history. In the end, Prof. Song expected students fromUKto come toZhejiangUniversityagain to pursue their graduate studies in the future.

Author��Liu Xianglu