校友心声：北外一年，改变一生

One Year in School, One Life in Change

Yan Li, on behalf of the graduated students from the School of Continuing Education, Beijing Foreign Studies University

Yan Li, MD. Ph.D, Professor of Surgical Oncology, Ph.D Mentor

Director of Departments of Peritoneal Cancer Surgery and Pathology,

Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University

Distinguished Prof. Dezhong Jia, Vice President of BFSU

Distinguished Prof. Hongbing Chen, Secretary of CPC Branch of School of Continuing Education, BFSU

Distinguished Prof. Xiaodong Gao, Dean of the School of Continuing Education, BFSU

Distinguished Prof. Lin Chen,

Distinguished Prof. Changshuan Li, Vice Dean of the Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation, BFSU

Dear teachers at the School of Continuing Education of BFSU,

Dear Friends, Ladies and Gentlemen,

With great honor and privilege, I am sitting here, on behalf of all the students studied and graduated from the School of Continuing Education, BFSU, to express our gratitude, best wishes, and congratulations on the 80^thanniversary of Beijing Foreign Studies University.

This historical occasion reminds me of days 32 years ago, when 27 students from every corner of the country received a 1-year concentrated training in advanced English at this school. We 27 students were selected after a 3-year very demanding and innovative English study program by the radio, and 3 rounds of very tough and highly competitive examinations, tests, and interviews.

What have we learnt at this school?

We have learnt New Concept of English. We have learnt New Concept of Life. We have learnt New Concept of China. And most important of all, we have learnt New Concept of the World!

Then we set off on our independent journey of development and evolution, each in different directions, each re-defining the meaning of success from their unique perspectives.

Most of us were teachers at that time. They stay teaching after the training. Based on the New Concept of English they have learnt here, Mr. Weibing Wang from Heilongjiang Province, Mr. Baihui Li from Hunan Province, Mr. Zongdong Wang from Sichuan Province, and Mr. Xincheng Yin, Mr. Zhiyong Wang and Mr. Shujun Li from Hebei Province continued teaching English as their life-long profession. Hundreds of thousands of high school students have realized their first big dreams in school life and become successful people in social life. They have become model teachers and their New Concepts of Teaching English have changed their schools. Congratulations to these new teachers.

Some were from the service sector. Based on the New Concept of Life they have learnt here, Mr. Zenglun Wu from Beijing improved his social life management theory and practice, upgrading from managing national corporations to international corporations. Mr. Zhongmin Cui from Inner Mongolia set up his own translation service and international trade. Their efforts have made our life easier and more productive. Mr. Yingyu Luo from Guangxin Zhuang Nationality Autonomous Region, Mr. Zubao Zhong from Jiangsu Province, and Mr. Xinsheng Dai from Shandong Province have turned to cross-culture exchanges and inter-civilization communications. Their life-long dedications to peaceful co-existence and friendly communication of different civilizations have improved the intellectual well-being and mutual understanding of the people from different countries, and made our life more peaceful and harmonious. They are the symbols of globalized managers. They have become globalized with their concept of human society and philosophy of the world. Congratulations to these new life pioneers.

Some were from manufacturing industry. Based on the New Concept of China we have learnt here, Mr. Bing Yang, Mr. Fuyin Huang and Mr. Fanshui Li have transformed their new vision into top-quality machines powering the fast growth of China’s economy and social development, into high-tech products serving the people all over the world, and into innovative cars running on the roads of both developing and developed countries. Their dedications to Revitalizing China by Developing Industry have contributed to making our country stronger and more prosperous. They are among the first to upgrade the global market from “Made in China” to “Created in China”. They have become globalized with their products. Congratulations to these pioneering entrepreneurs.

Some of us were from medical field. I was a clinical doctor focusing on pathology study at that time. “Saving the dying and healing the wounded” is our motto. Medicine is a global language crossing national boundaries and culture barriers. With the New Concept of the World I have learnt here, I continued my pursuit for higher medical sciences, more advanced clinical technologies, and better treatment skills. With determination, with perseverance, and with focused studies over 20 years, we have finally solved one of the most difficult problems in cancer treatment. Our new treatment approaches have revived the life of many cancer patients from China, Viet Nam, Egypt, Japan, Canada, and United States. We have trained doctors from home and abroad. Our voices have been heard and followed by over 15,000 medical workers from over 40 countries. In this regard, I also have become globalized with my new theory and new treatment in cancer medicine.

The most prominent example of “globalized talent” is Prof. Changshuan Li, deputy dean of the Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation (GSTI) of BFSU. His outstanding achievements in higher education and historical contributions to cross-culture communications are beyond what I can imagine. Prof. Chuangshan Li is also a brilliant example of how much this School of Continuing Education can contribute to the overall success of BFSU. More importantly, it is because of his efforts that I can stand here to share our stories on behalf of the students. Please allow me to take this opportunity to say, “thank you!” directly to Prof. Chuangshuan Li. You have inspired so many, and you have contributed so much. We follow your lead.

Such a list of success goes on and on.

One year is very short. One year after another, the time disappears without trace. However, one year at this school is not short. That one year at the School of Continuing Education of BFSU started our life-long changes for the better, and for the success. We say “thank you” to our teachers here for their life-changing knowledge, “thank you” to this school for the enlightening culture, and “thank you” to our fellow students for their mutual inspiration.

But, what is success? How do we define success?

One answer we have leant at BFSU is: “Success is Measured by How Far You Can Go from Where You Started”.

By this definition, teacher Wang is successful, manager Wu is successful, entrepreneur Yang is successful, Dr. Li is also successful, and we are all successful.

However, the most successful is our beloved School of Continuing Education, BFSU, because it has cultivated so many globalized talents, who have become successful, and a lot more are on the road to be successful.

Again, thank you very much, and hearty congratulations on the 80^thanniversary of BFSU.

Best wishes to you all.