1： Training Workshop for Confucius Institute Directors Opens
ECNUers are active in teaching various Chinese classes around the world. On August 14, 2014, the In-Service Training Workshop for Confucius Institute Directors was opened at ECNU. 32 foreign directors of Confucius Institutes from 24 countries worldwide came to attend the 10-day workshop sponsored by Confucius Institute Headquarters and organized by ECNU.
2： ECNU Establishes Faculty of Earth Science
On the morning of March 14, the inaugural meeting of ECNU’s Faculty of Earth Science was held in the Library Lecture Hall on the Minhang Campus, officially establishing the Faculty of Earth Science after more than a half-year of preparation and construction. The establishment of the Faculty of Earth Science marked the beginning of ECNU’s faculty system reforms, a very important step in ECNU’s construction of the Modern University System.
3： Stories behind “Geniuses Know”
On the night of February 1, “Geniuses Know”, a national enrichment TV program, aired a special feature about ECNU. Eight ECNU students showcased themselves before audiences around the country and won 7050 total points. That helped the University receive 70,500 RMB to put towards financial aid for students. Due to the popularity of the program among young audiences, the eight students even won admiration from their peers. “We are not geniuses, and we don’t want to be regarded as geniuses. In fact, we are ‘earth’ guys. The ‘earth’ here refers to down-to-earth,” said one of the eight students.
4： Gu Xiaoqing, Most Beloved Teacher of 2014 Graduates
In 2014, Prof. Gu Xiaoqing was selected by many graduating students as the Most Beloved Teacher. According to Gu, a teacher should be full of responsibility and eager to keep learning. What’s more, a teacher should do things for the sake of the students and try her/his best to help the students to develop themselves.
5：Sir Shaw and ECNU
On January 7, Hong Kong media mogul and philanthropist Sir Run Run Shaw (Shao Yifu), aged 107, passed away at home. Shaw was an enthusiastic philanthropist, and is seen especially fondly in China’s mainland, where he donated over 4.75 billion HK dollars ($744 million) over the years, mostly to education. In 1986, Shaw donated 100 million HK dollars to 10 universities in China’s mainland, and ECNU was the first university to receive the donation. With the donation, the library on Zhongbei Campus was expanded. On Aug. 1, 1992, Sir Shaw and his wife Fang Yihua came to ECNU and visited Yifu Library. At the hall of the newly-renovated Yifu Library, Shaw’s portrait is hung in the most tranquil corner with the best scenery on the second floor.
6：ECNUers Win 13 National Teaching Achievement Awards
On September 9, ECNUers won 13 awards at the National Commendation & Celebration Conference for the 30th Teachers’ Day held in Beijing. This year, ECNU teachers won 13 National Teaching Awards: 5 first prizes and 8 second prizest. That made ECNU the top-ranked university, with the most first prizes and total prizes.
7: Academician He Jifeng Awarded Top Science Prize of Shanghai
At the 2013 Shanghai Science and Technology Awards, held at the Shanghai Exhibition Center on April 1, Academician He Jifeng won the Hero Award of Shanghai Science and Technology, the top science prize awarded in Shanghai. Han Zheng, the Communist Party Chief of Shanghai, presented the medal and certificate to Academician He. He was praised for his achievements in the development of software for the auto mechanics and aeronautics industries. A 40-year veteran in his field, He’s achievements have led to significant safety improvements in these two sectors.
8：Lin Yifu Demystifies Chinese Economy in ECNU
On October 29，Lin Yifu, a former Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the World Bank and Member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference's National Committee and honorary Dean of the National School of Development—Peking University, gave a lecture titled “Demystifying the Chinese Economy” at the Science Auditorium on the Zhongbei Campus.
9：ECNU Holds Centenary Commemoration of Liu Fonian & Founding Ceremony of the Faculty of Education Sciences
On October 16, ECNU celebrated the 63rd anniversary of its founding. On that day, experts and famous alumni gathered on the Zhongbei campus to attend the Centenary Commemoration of Liu Fonian & The Founding Ceremony of the Faculty of Education Sciences.
10: ECNU and ENS Group Start Another 12-year Cooperation
2014 is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France, and the 12th anniversary of Prosfer, a joint cultivation project of post-graduates between ECNU and the ENS (Ecole Normale Supérieure) Group. In November, ECNU held the “50th Anniversary Sino-French Relations • ECNU France Week” activity series to celebrate the occasion. The ceremony to renew the agreement of Prosfer was part of that series.
