“Showing the strong resilience of the governance system”
——Interview with Sibrandes Poppema, former president of the University
of Groningen, the Netherlands
Zhang Penghui, People’s Daily
Abstract: Sibrandes Poppema believes that the grand celebration ceremony
shows China's growing comprehensive national strength, "China's military,
economic, social development is of balanced development, showing the
strong resilience of the governance system." In exchanges and cooperation
with Chinese universities, Prof. Poppema observed that the
research of Chinese universities is in line with international standards, and
even some aspects lead the world.
“The grand
military parade and mass parade held in Tiananmen Square are really spectacular
and amazing!” recalling the scene of the celebration of the 70th
anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China in Beijing,
Sibrandes Poppema, former President of the University of
Groningen, a famous clinician scientist was still
excited.
"On China's
National Day, in Tiananmen Square, it is not only China's advanced military equipment,
but more important and even more touching. I saw the faces of young
people
who participated in the celebration bloom. Their bright smile
shows a real happiness and joy.” Prof. Poppema believes that
the grand celebration shows China’s growing comprehensive national strength, “China's
military, economic, social development is of balanced, showing the strong resilience of the
governance system."
Born in
Emmen, the Netherlands, Prof. Poppema is 70 years old,
the same of age with PRC. Since his first visit to China in 2003, Prof.
Poppema has traveled to China for more than 60 times. From 2008
to 2018, during his tenure as the president University of Groningen,
Prof. Poppema actively promoted academic exchanges and cooperation between the
University of Groningen and Chinese universities and research institutions.
Prof. Poppema witnessed the rapid development of China's higher education.
“My colleagues
in China communicated with better English.
Chnese students' English was significantly improved.
They have an international vision and are willing to in touch with the
outside world.”
Prof.
Poppema served as a visiting professor at Jilin University. He remembered the
medical laboratory of Jilin University 15 years ago. At that time,
the equipments, research methods in China were left behind the
international standard. Now, Jilin University has modern
research equipments, follows the latest scientific research methods.
They also has excellent research staff. "The research
environment of Chinese universities is completely in line with the
international standards, and even some aspects lead the world. At present, in
terms of physics, chemistry, medicine, engineering, etc., China is one of the
strongest countries in the world.
But in medical research, China is still behind the US and Europe" Prof.
Poppema said.
Through long-term observation of the Chinese development
in the past decades, Prof. Poppema pointed out two advantages of the
Chinese governance system: First, the Chinese leadership can listen to different opinions,
especially the views of professional experts in the universities, focusing on the
long-term goals, rational discussion, and scientific
decision-making process. In doing so, China is on the right
direction
for a long time. Second, China can maintain long-term policy
stability. “Through the
five-year plan, China has a consistent philosophy and policy that enables scientific
decision-making to be implemented.”
Despite
engaging in natural science research, Prof. Poppema also attaches great
importance to social and cultural exchanges. He is an
enthusiastic supporter of Chinese language teaching. With
his help and support, Groningen Confucius Institute of, founded by
the University of Groningen and the Communication University of China, was
established in 2011. More than 10 high-quality Confucius
Classrooms were developed in the Netherlands, which was widely welcomed by the students. Prof.
Poppema also served as a council member of Hanban, the Confucius
Institute Headquarters.
Prof. Poppema believes that learning other languages and cultures
will help to promote the in-depth exchanges
between different civilizations of human beings. The Confucius Institute
originated in China and is an international project, involving people of
different cultural backgrounds, which critically
needs opinions from different backgrounds. "I hope that
by contributing to the Confucius Institute I can contribute to a better
understanding of people from different parts of the world."
Sibrandes Poppema ( File photo
)
“Showing the strong resilience of the governance system”
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