China’s coronavirus caseload continued to wane on Friday but the threat of the coronavirus went global this week. According to the WHO, as of March 6, the number of cases has topped at 98,067 across 78 countries, of which 17,637 are outside China. The serious situation in South Korea, Italy, and Japan arouses special concern at ECNU as the University has 78 partner universities in the three countries.
“Given the current situation, we, as a member of the world's university community with shared future, are committed to working with you to overcome this challenge.
We are confident that, with all the efforts that have been made, the outbreak will soon be contained and we look forward to continuing our fruitful cooperation.”
Qian Xuhong
President
East China Normal University
On behalf of ECNU, President Qian Xuhong sent letters of encouragement to the University of Turin, Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti, Milano (NABA), the University of Tokyo, Waseda University, Korea University,Hanyang University, and other partner universities in Italy, Japan and South Korea.
“We, as a member of the world's university community with shared future, are committed to working with you to overcome this challenge.” Qian expressed his solidarity with the University’s international friends in his letters.
“Waseda University has so far found no infection cases, but the university is highly vigilant and has taken all necessary measures, including canceling the graduation ceremony in March and the opening ceremony in April to prevent the outbreak of the epidemic and ensure the safety of our faculty, students and staff. Since there are about 4,500 Chinese students studying in our university, we will make every effort to ensure that they are safe and live a normal life.”
Aiji Tanaka
President
Waseda University
ECNU’s solidarity has met with warm responses from its partner universities. In his reply to Qian’s letter, Aiji Tanaka, President of Waseda University, expressed thanks to Qian and ECNU. “At the same time, we would like to express our admiration to the efforts of the Chinese government and the Chinese people in the fight against the spread of epidemic,” said Tanaka in his letter.
“I would also like to take the opportunity to extend a message of solidarity from all the members of the University of Padua to the people of theP. R. China. We are happy to see that with the efficient and effective measure taken by the Chinese government as well as the courage of the Chinese people, the situation is now under control and improving gradually.”
Rosario Rizzuto
Rector
University of Padua
Rosario Rizzuto, Rector of the University of Padua, thanked Qian and ECNU in his reply. According to him, the virologists from the University of Padua have developed a test that can efficiently help the diagnosis of the COVID-19. “Scientific research and collaboration are the key to the fight of the COVID-19. We are convinced that with the effort of all countries, the situation will improve very soon,” said Rizzuto in his letter.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the sympathy and support you have shown to our university in these difficult weeks. We are trying our best to maintain a safe and healthy environment, and safeguard our students and staff. We are confident the measures implemented by our government and local entities will help us return to our normal schedule as soon as possible.”
Guido Saracco
Rector
Polotecnico di Torino
Guido Saracco, Rector of Polotecnico di Torino, expressed his sincere gratitude to Qian. We are confident the measures implemented by our government and local entities will help us return to our normal schedule as soon as possible,” said Guido in his reply.
Author: Yu Wenxi, Xu Xincheng
Copy editor: Philip Nash
Editor: Yu Wenxi
