Click for video highlights of the visit to YNRTVU.
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Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Video Highlights
Click for video highlights of the visit to YNRTVU.
Quicktime is required. Or, try this Flash version.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Extended Photo Gallery
Here is the photo record of the President's delegation to China.
Photos copyright Lisa Ortiz unless otherwise noted.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Day 9 – Tuesday, May 22, 2007
After a very long day of official functions, the delegation earned a day of recharging. Our
Cheng Du hosts treated us to a very special visit to China’s Giant Panda Research and Breeding Base. The breeding base houses up to 50 of these gentle creatures. The adults spend 16 hours eating and the rest of their day is napping. The juvenile pandas have an additional responsibility; they play. Life is rough for a giant panda in China…
After leaving the panda base, we traveled to DuJiang, a nearby city. The DuJiang irrigation
system is a 2000-year old wondrous site, which is very popular with local tourists. The national park includes many pagoda temples and shopping opportunities.
Cheng Du’s Giant Panda Research and Breeding Base
Giant pandas doing what they enjoy most, eating and lounging
Giant pandas doing what they enjoy most, eating and lounging
Wrestling match between 3 baby pandas
An unexpected performance at lunch
A performer hams it up at a tobacco convention held at the restaurant
we dined at
The DuJiang irrigation system and national park
The DuJiang irrigation system and national park
The DuJiang irrigation system and national park
rs. Li and Hetzel light ceremonial incense at the DuJiang temple
Photos by Lisa Ortiz
Cheng Du hosts treated us to a very special visit to China’s Giant Panda Research and Breeding Base. The breeding base houses up to 50 of these gentle creatures. The adults spend 16 hours eating and the rest of their day is napping. The juvenile pandas have an additional responsibility; they play. Life is rough for a giant panda in China…
After leaving the panda base, we traveled to DuJiang, a nearby city. The DuJiang irrigation
system is a 2000-year old wondrous site, which is very popular with local tourists. The national park includes many pagoda temples and shopping opportunities.
Cheng Du’s Giant Panda Research and Breeding Base
Giant pandas doing what they enjoy most, eating and lounging
Giant pandas doing what they enjoy most, eating and lounging
Wrestling match between 3 baby pandas
An unexpected performance at lunch
A performer hams it up at a tobacco convention held at the restaurant
we dined at
The DuJiang irrigation system and national park
The DuJiang irrigation system and national park
The DuJiang irrigation system and national park
rs. Li and Hetzel light ceremonial incense at the DuJiang temple
Photos by Lisa Ortiz
Day 8 – Monday, May 21, 2007
Monday’s Metro State delegate activities began with a meeting in a formal, opulent receiving room with Sichuan University (SCU) Vice President, Sun Weiguo, and culminated at a banquet hosted by the Cheng Du Educational Bureau, where an international memorandum of agreement (IMOA) was formalized with Metro State. This IMOA opens doors of opportunity for Metro State to pursue exchanges for faculty, staff and students with academic institutions in Cheng Du, including SCU and Cheng Du Metropolitan University.
Following the meeting with Weiguo, the delegation visited with leaders of SCU’s College of International Studies (CIS) and Intensive Language Training Center (ILTC): Xia Liping, Dean; Song Shaofeng, General Branch Secretary; and Professor Deng, Associate Director/Vice Dean. The ILAC is one of China’s 11 language-training centers under the Ministry of Education. The Center works with students, businessmen and women, state officials and others to master language skills prior trips abroad. The CIS/ILTC offers language training in English, Japanese, German, Russian, French, Korean, Spanish and Thai.
Monday afternoon, delegates traveled to the Cheng Du Educational Bureau and to Cheng Du Metropolitan University (CMU). At CMU, they toured the Fine Arts Center, and observed students involved in sculpture and animation projects.
By Dr. Betsy Zeller
Dr. Jordan receives a special banner from Sichuan University’s Vice
President, Sun Weiguo
Dr. Jordan is warmly welcomed by the Intensive Language Training Center’s
Dean, Song
Cheng Du Metropolitan University
Jinli Street, a very opulent and traditional shopping and dining area
Jinli Street, includes a Western specialty, Starbucks Coffee
-Photos by Lisa Ortiz
Following the meeting with Weiguo, the delegation visited with leaders of SCU’s College of International Studies (CIS) and Intensive Language Training Center (ILTC): Xia Liping, Dean; Song Shaofeng, General Branch Secretary; and Professor Deng, Associate Director/Vice Dean. The ILAC is one of China’s 11 language-training centers under the Ministry of Education. The Center works with students, businessmen and women, state officials and others to master language skills prior trips abroad. The CIS/ILTC offers language training in English, Japanese, German, Russian, French, Korean, Spanish and Thai.
Monday afternoon, delegates traveled to the Cheng Du Educational Bureau and to Cheng Du Metropolitan University (CMU). At CMU, they toured the Fine Arts Center, and observed students involved in sculpture and animation projects.
By Dr. Betsy Zeller
Dr. Jordan receives a special banner from Sichuan University’s Vice
President, Sun Weiguo
Dr. Jordan is warmly welcomed by the Intensive Language Training Center’s
Dean, Song
Cheng Du Metropolitan University
Jinli Street, a very opulent and traditional shopping and dining area
Jinli Street, includes a Western specialty, Starbucks Coffee
-Photos by Lisa Ortiz
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Day 6 – Saturday, May 19, 2007
YNRTV University treated the delegation to a tour of the Stone Forest (Shilin). The drive to and from the world-famous landmark was very illuminating. We passed through rural farm communities and saw traditional tiered planting fields, rice paddies, and water buffalo. After staying in a modern city of almost 5 million people for several days, it was a stark contrast to see so much open-space. China is as multifaceted as a precision-cut diamond, with economic extremes much wider than the United States. In some regions of the country, time appears to have stood still for generations.
After traveling about 1.5 hours, we eagerly arrived. The Stone Forest is known to the locals as the “First Wonder of the World” and covers a vast 96,000 square acres. The limestone rock formations, with surrounding lakes, are unquestionably breathtaking.
The Yunnan Province Stone Forest
The Yunnan Province Stone Forest
The Yunnan Province Stone Forest
The Yunnan Province Stone Forest
The entire delegation is awed by the beauty of the Stone Forest
Lisa Ortiz dons a traditional costume
of the Yunnan nationality group,
Lunan Li
Dr. Rudy Garcia befriends our tour guide
-photos by Lisa Ortiz
After traveling about 1.5 hours, we eagerly arrived. The Stone Forest is known to the locals as the “First Wonder of the World” and covers a vast 96,000 square acres. The limestone rock formations, with surrounding lakes, are unquestionably breathtaking.
The Yunnan Province Stone Forest
The Yunnan Province Stone Forest
The Yunnan Province Stone Forest
The Yunnan Province Stone Forest
The entire delegation is awed by the beauty of the Stone Forest
Lisa Ortiz dons a traditional costume
of the Yunnan nationality group,
Lunan Li
Dr. Rudy Garcia befriends our tour guide
-photos by Lisa Ortiz
Friday, May 18, 2007
Day 5 – Friday, May 18, 2007
For the first time in China’s history, Kunming is proudly hosting the 7th China National Disabled Person’s Sports Meeting at the newly-built New Asia Stadium. The delegation was honored with a tour of the facility, as well as watched a few of the events. It was amazing to be included in China’s equivalent of the Special Olympics.
After the Disabled Person’s Sports Meeting, we met with Kunming’s Deputy Mayor, the distinguished Mrs. Xiao Shan Liao. We presented her with a framed photo and letter from Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Sister Cities International, reaffirming and strengthening the “sister city” relationship between Denver and Kunming. After the formal presentation with the Deputy Mayor, the delegation visited the Yuan Xiao Cen Art Museum, featuring paintings and bronze sculptures of world-renown Chinese artist Shu Yuan Yi. Also on the grounds of the art museum was a small tea museum featuring a 200 year old, highly prized, local specialty tea. High quality tea is a status symbol in China, much like gourmet food in the United States. The delegation is being introduced to the nuances between jasmine, green, black, and the many local variety of teas.
The Mayor’s office graciously provided us with a driver and guide, who drove us through
Kunming for a very real view of rural China on Kunming’s outskirts. Rather than the expected rice paddies, we saw local farmers growing Chinese chives, a regional specialty. It was fascinating to see the stark contrast between life in a city of 6 million people versus a small farming village.
Sprinter runners participating in the 7th
China National Disabled Person’s Sports Meeting
A broad jumper building momentum before his jump
President Jordan receiving a gift for Mayor
Hickenlooper from Deputy Mayor Liao
President Jordan presenting the framed letter
and photo from Mayor Hickenlooper and Sister
Cities International to Deputy Mayor Liao
A famous bronze statue by Chinese artist, Shu Yuan Yi
Many varieties of locally grown tea, displayed in traditionally packaged
wheels hanging above bundles of tea wheels recovered from Tibet
A bamboo and thatch doorway in a garden paradise
-photos by Lisa Ortiz
After the Disabled Person’s Sports Meeting, we met with Kunming’s Deputy Mayor, the distinguished Mrs. Xiao Shan Liao. We presented her with a framed photo and letter from Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and Sister Cities International, reaffirming and strengthening the “sister city” relationship between Denver and Kunming. After the formal presentation with the Deputy Mayor, the delegation visited the Yuan Xiao Cen Art Museum, featuring paintings and bronze sculptures of world-renown Chinese artist Shu Yuan Yi. Also on the grounds of the art museum was a small tea museum featuring a 200 year old, highly prized, local specialty tea. High quality tea is a status symbol in China, much like gourmet food in the United States. The delegation is being introduced to the nuances between jasmine, green, black, and the many local variety of teas.
The Mayor’s office graciously provided us with a driver and guide, who drove us through
Kunming for a very real view of rural China on Kunming’s outskirts. Rather than the expected rice paddies, we saw local farmers growing Chinese chives, a regional specialty. It was fascinating to see the stark contrast between life in a city of 6 million people versus a small farming village.
Sprinter runners participating in the 7th
China National Disabled Person’s Sports Meeting
A broad jumper building momentum before his jump
President Jordan receiving a gift for Mayor
Hickenlooper from Deputy Mayor Liao
President Jordan presenting the framed letter
and photo from Mayor Hickenlooper and Sister
Cities International to Deputy Mayor Liao
A famous bronze statue by Chinese artist, Shu Yuan Yi
Many varieties of locally grown tea, displayed in traditionally packaged
wheels hanging above bundles of tea wheels recovered from Tibet
A bamboo and thatch doorway in a garden paradise
-photos by Lisa Ortiz
Day 4 – Thursday, May 17, 2007
In the same spirit of friendship, goodwill and cooperation that established the Kunming-Denver Sister City relationship in 1985, Dr. Xu Bin, President of Yunnan Radio and Television University (YNRTVU), located in Kunming, China, and Dr. Stephen Jordan, President of Metro State, signed an agreement today to become sister schools. This partnership will open many collaborations, including faculty exchanges, student study abroad opportunities, cooperative academic projects, joint research opportunities, and grants.
Several months ago, YNRTVU also asked Metro State to submit a grant application with them to the Office of Chinese Language Council in Beijing for $150,000 in seed money to start a Confucius Institute (CI). If the institutions are successful, this award will fund a CI center on campus. The CI will offer credit and non-credit courses in Chinese, including Chinese language instruction and certification to teachers, Chinese cultural events to the campus and community, and will advance academic research.
When the delegation arrived at the 15-story YNRTVU, we toured the facility, which included a very-impressive telecommunication infrastructure. Professors teach in one classroom, while two other locations receive a high-quality video signal, along with multimedia elements. The three simultaneous classrooms can interact with the Professor and each other in real time.
Following the signing ceremony, Dr. Jordan thanked the YNRTVU hosts for being so gracious, and indicated that he looked forward to “…a long, happy, collaborative, and utually-beneficial relationship.” Then the celebration began, Kunming style.
The YNRTVU proudly hosted a spectacular banquet for the delegation, including many local
specialty dishes and entertainers. To the delight of our hosts, the delegation also participated in the singing, dancing, and traditional customs.
-Lisa Ortiz
The Yunnan Radio and Television University
An electronic welcoming sign at the university
YNRTVU multimedia professor, Mr. Gao,
demonstrates how he uses advanced technology
to teach in 3 locations simultaneously
Two university presidents exchange gifts to
honor the collaboration of schools.
Pictured are Dr. Xu Bin (L) and Dr. Stephen Jordan (R)
The official signing ceremony between the two universities
Dr. Donald Chang is warmly welcomed by
traditionally costumed greeters
The welcoming committee at the formal banquet
honoring the delegation
Local performers reinact folk tales through song
and dance, entertaining all
-photos by Lisa Ortiz
Several months ago, YNRTVU also asked Metro State to submit a grant application with them to the Office of Chinese Language Council in Beijing for $150,000 in seed money to start a Confucius Institute (CI). If the institutions are successful, this award will fund a CI center on campus. The CI will offer credit and non-credit courses in Chinese, including Chinese language instruction and certification to teachers, Chinese cultural events to the campus and community, and will advance academic research.
When the delegation arrived at the 15-story YNRTVU, we toured the facility, which included a very-impressive telecommunication infrastructure. Professors teach in one classroom, while two other locations receive a high-quality video signal, along with multimedia elements. The three simultaneous classrooms can interact with the Professor and each other in real time.
Following the signing ceremony, Dr. Jordan thanked the YNRTVU hosts for being so gracious, and indicated that he looked forward to “…a long, happy, collaborative, and utually-beneficial relationship.” Then the celebration began, Kunming style.
The YNRTVU proudly hosted a spectacular banquet for the delegation, including many local
specialty dishes and entertainers. To the delight of our hosts, the delegation also participated in the singing, dancing, and traditional customs.
-Lisa Ortiz
The Yunnan Radio and Television University
An electronic welcoming sign at the university
YNRTVU multimedia professor, Mr. Gao,
demonstrates how he uses advanced technology
to teach in 3 locations simultaneously
Two university presidents exchange gifts to
honor the collaboration of schools.
Pictured are Dr. Xu Bin (L) and Dr. Stephen Jordan (R)
The official signing ceremony between the two universities
Dr. Donald Chang is warmly welcomed by
traditionally costumed greeters
The welcoming committee at the formal banquet
honoring the delegation
Local performers reinact folk tales through song
and dance, entertaining all
-photos by Lisa Ortiz
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