Universities and organizations around the world show support in the fight against COVID-19
Feb 15, 2020
Peking University, Feb. 15, 2020: Many partner universities and organizations around the world have recently written to Peking University to commend China’s measures and progress in combating COVID-19. They expressed their support and sent their regards to faculty, staff and students of Peking University.
President of Cornell University Martha E. Pollack has highly appraised the effort of teachers and students of Peking University in combating COVID-19. At the same time, Cornell University has also held a roundtable discussion regarding COVID-19 on campus as well as an interdisciplinary discussion on the complexity of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Cornell University has also pointed out the need to guard against and condemn any potential racism.
President of University College Dublin Andrew J. Deeks said COVID-19 is a pressing problem that China is facing now. Universities around the world should leverage on their advantages in scientific research and international cooperation to expand and deepen partnerships in laboratory work and clinical testing. As a member of the Global Virus Network, University College Dublin is willing to contribute to the prevention and medical treatment of COVID-19 in China.
Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sydney Michael Spence said the efficient response from the Chinese government and its close cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) have left a deep impression. He believes the medical teams that rushed to Hubei from all over China will be effective in containing the spread of the coronavirus and eventually end COVID-19. At the same time, the University of Sydney is willing to render all forms of assistance to support Peking University in its battle against COVID-19.
President of Waseda University Aiji Tanaka said there has been numerous cases of COVID-19 in Japan and the Japanese government has been actively stemming the spread of the epidemic. Waseda University will ensure the safety and security of all Chinese students (including those from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) and ensure that they are able to learn and live as per normal. Waseda University is willing to provide all forms of assistance in combating COVID-19 and stands with the Chinese government and Chinese people in this battle.
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Auckland Stuart McCutcheon said COVID-19 is a challenge faced by all human beings, so we should work together to overcome it. Due to the travel and customs restrictions put in place by the local government, there are nearly 2,000 Chinese students who are temporarily unable to return to the University of Auckland, including many students from Peking University. The University of Auckland will make necessary arrangements for students based on their individual circumstances and strive to resume teaching as per normal as soon as possible.
Besides, other institutions including international organizations, associations of international universities, and global enterprises have sent their letters of support.
Gene Block, chairman of Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) as well as chancellor of University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and Christopher Tremewan, secretary-general of APRU jointly said Peking University is one of the most important members of APRU. Under current circumstances, all other members are willing to address this global challenge by seeking cooperation in various forms and lending a helping hand through direct cooperation in public health of international concern and campus security.
Jerome Bendell, vice president of Thales Group in North Asia as well as CEO in China, said the impressive measures taken by the country of China, Chinese people’s solidarity and high efficiency combined to the international community’s support will allow us to head together towards brighter days in the near future.
In addition, representatives of partner universities have expressed their sincere solicitude and support through letters, e-mails, telephones, and other forms. These included Makoto Gonokami, president of University of Tokyo, Firmin Edouard Matoko, assistant director-general for African Affairs, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Nada Al-Nashif, assistant director-general for Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO, Santa Ono, president and vice-chancellor of University of British Columbia, David Turpin, president of University of Alberta, Asher Cohen, president of Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ariel Porat, president of Tel Aviv University, Stuart Morriss, vice-president of Massey University, Judith LeMaire, vice-president of Université libre de Bruxelles. They hope China will win the battle against the COVID-19 as soon as possible.
Written by: Ng Joong Hwee, Zhou Meng
Edited by: Huang Weijian
