In Nov.2009, the delegation of Anqing Normal University visited Salisbury University . Both sides signed cooperative contract and became sister schools. In 24 th , June, 2010, a Salisbury delegation of nine members arrived at Anqing for a five days' visit to Anqing Normal University . The vice president Diane Lara Allen and Ellen Jane Neufeldt were the leading members in the delegation, which also included the enrollment director, the director of International Education Center , the dean of the School of Liberal Arts , the director of English Language Institute and Chinese Language instructor. On 25th, June, Anqing Normal University gave an enthusiastic reception to the delegation. The delegates were cordially received by Mr. He Xiaoxiang, the party secretary ； Mr. Zhu Shiqun, the president ； Ms. Wang Haiyan, the vice president ； Mr. Zhang Qun, the vice president ； and Mr. Liu Youzhong, the director of Foreign Affairs Office and member of the Party Committee. On behalf of leading bodies, Secretary He extended a warm welcome to the delegation. He said, “Although we two schools are far apart, the noble education cause makes us closer. I sincerely hope your visit can expand mutual exchange areas and consolidate our friendship.” Vice president Allen appreciated the warm welcome and hospitality rendered to them by our school. She remarked, “The coming exchange program enables us to see greater cooperation, we still have many details about exchange to discuss in this visit.”
In the afternoon, the representatives of both sides attended the signing ceremony of student and faculty exchange. Vice president Zhang Qun of Anqing Normal University and vice president Diane Allen signed the agreement respectively. Mr. Vice president Zhang recalled the communication history since Oct. 2008, expressing the sincere hope to strengthen cooperation between the two sides. Mrs. vice president Allen remarked that the exchange of students and faculty members between our two schools will be completely successful, given the fact that both sides have many things in common.
On 25 th , June, the former party secretary of Anqing Normal University and CPPCC standing committee of Anhui province, Mr. Zhao Xiaohe, gave a warm reception to the delegation. In 2009, he led a group of delegates to visit Salisbury University . He was delightful for Salisbury 's visit this time. He deeply wished this visit could strengthen both sides' collaboration and both sides could make more progress in faculty exchange, student exchange, academic exchange and many other fields. Mrs. Vice president Allen appreciated this trip a lot. She said the student exchange for the coming fall semester was just a good beginning and the delegation's visit was to seek more chances for the exchange and cooperation in many other fields.
On the afternoon of 25 th , June, representatives from both sides attended the faculty seminar to discuss the possibility of exchange. The dean of School of Education , Cao Changde presided over the meeting and addressed the delegates in an eloquent speech. He proposed the dominant theme for the discussion as the following: first, the increase of exchange students' number; second, the possibility of scholarship available for the graduates to study in SU for getting master's or doctor's degree; third, improvement of faculty exchange; fourth, invitation for the Su faculty members to attend the Fourth International Teachers' Conference in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province. Mrs. Vice President Allen was grateful for the warm reception and promised she would submit the proposal from Dean Cao to Salisbury 's authorities for serious consideration. Dean of School of Liberal arts, Dr., Pereboom demanded more assistance from ATC for their exchange students in studying Chinese history, culture and arts. In the two hours' talk, the leaders of others departments from ATC also suggested the international education co-hosted by the two schools in other majors. At the end of the seminar, Dean of School of Education of ATC, Cao Changde and Mrs. Vice president Allen, on behalf of the present representatives, promised that both sides would take great care of the exchange students, expecting to broaden the exchange and cooperation in many other majors.
June 28 th , as to the coming student exchange program this fall, representatives from two sides held a meeting. Dr. Cheng Xi, provost and Dr. Li Yizhong, Dean of School of Humanity and Society and teacher representatives of ATC discussed the courses' details with Mrs. Vice president Allen, Dr. Maarten Lucas Pereboom and Dr. Linda Dwyer. Two sides were satisfied with the arrangement for exchange students, and looked forward to further cooperation of this program.
On the afternoon of 28 th , June, the delegation of Salisbury University paid a visit to School of Music and School of Painting of ATC. In the School of Music , the delegation appreciated the Huangmei Opera majors' performance and attended several classes, including Bamboo Flute class, Gu Zheng class and Pi Pa class. The delegation members were very interested in Chinese traditional music and local opera, and believed that their students would like to come to study Chinese culture too.
Dean Chen Ke of School of Painting gave a warm welcome to the delegation and presented the works of two teachers' painting collections to them as a gift. Later on, the delegates were showed the exhibition of the calligraphy and Chinese paintings from teachers and students. In order to impressive the western guests, Professor Jiang Shifa, created Chinese calligraphy and painting on the spot. The four Chinese characters written with the Chinese brush meant the everlasting friendship between Anqing Normal University and Salisbury University . The picture called theEarly Springdepicted a mynah taking its perch on the branch of a magnolia conspectus tree. The delegates were absorbed in the extensive and profound Chinese culture.
During the delegation' stay, they visited students' dorms, cafeteria, classrooms and stadium. The wonderful campus environment and excellent education and sports facilities made quite a good impression on each delegate.
