Graduation Ceremony – “Zhi&Xing Guizhou”  Silk Road Youth Exchange Programme

Sri Lankan lecturer in China, SugathRatnayake of the  Department of Sinhala Studies at the Faculty of Foreign Languages, Yunnan University, recently had the opportunity to represent Sri Lanka at an International Youth Exchange Programme. The programme was jointly organised by the Guizhou Provincial Department of Education in China, the China ASEAN Education Exchange Week Organizing Committee Secretariat and the Guizhou University of Engineering Science.

The programme titlted “Zhi&Xing Guizhou” (Know Guizhou) Silk Road International Youth Exchange Programme ran from July 4 to July 11 with the participation of foreign students and university lecturers from around 20 countries. 

SugathRatnayake holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Master of Arts and a Master of Philosophy Degree from the University of Kelaniya and is a former foreign expert in the Sinhala Service of the China Media Group in Beijing.
During the seven days of the programme, foreign delegates had the opportunity to visit various tourist attractions and historical sites in Guizhou Province. Foreign delegations visited the world-famous Zhijin Cave UNESCO Global Geopark, Xian Temple, Shexiang Museum, as well as traditional villages inhabiting the ethnic minorities of Miao and Yi. In addition, a practical as well as theoretical understanding of batik, paper cutting, painting and calligraphy, considered to be the intangible heritage of China, was also imparted. The foreign youth delegates were given experience in traditional minority sports along with the experience of students studying such sports for graduation. In addition, special lectures on Chinese experience in innovation and young entrepreneurship were included in the programme.

SugathRatnayake, Lecturer, Department of Sinhala Studies, Foreign Language School, Yunnan University, speaking on behalf of the foreign lecturers representatives at the event said Sri Lanka was an important milestone on the Silk Road. He said it was a privilege to represent Sri Lanka and the University of Yunnan in this international youth exchange programme. “We are grateful for the seven days of hospitality from the moment we were greeted at the airport and the commitment made by the university officials, lecturers and students who served as volunteers,” he said. He noted that his visit to places such as Zhijin Cave and Xiang Temple, as well as his knowledge of Guizhou, its scenic, historical and cultural sites, further enhanced his understanding and love for China. He also urged the university officials, foreign students and lectures to visit Sri Lanka, which has been hailed as the pearl of the Indian Ocean, full of all tourist attractions.

Addressing the graduation ceremony of the program, Xiang Xianli, Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of Guizhou University of Engineering Science, said that the program is an important platform that connects Chinese and foreign youth to build their dreams on the Silk Road.

At the graduation ceremony, Fang Peng, a leading lecturer at Hubei University of Automotive Technology, spoke as a lecturers representative. He noted that during this cultural experience and exchange, they felt the keen attention of the leaders of Guizhou University of Engineering Science, the excellent skills of the professional lectures, the meticulous organization of the staff and the patient service of the student volunteers. In the future, he noted, many parties need to join hands to write the hearts and minds of young people around the world.