Peking University, November 25, 2011: Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, president of Turkmenistan, has been bestowed the title Honorary Professor of Peking University on November 23, 2011.

The ceremony was held in the Great Hall of the People and was attended by State Councilor Liu Yandong, the Chinese Ambassodor to Turkmenistan Xiao Qinghua, PKU Council Chairman Zhu Shanlu and PKU President Zhou Qifeng.

PKU President Zhou Qifeng awarded President Berdimuhamedov the Title.

Professor Zhu Shanlu delivered a speech on behalf of PKU. He emphasized that it is PKU’s traditional practice to cooperate with foreign universities. The trend of internationalization in advanced education has underlined universities’ mission to promote international academic communication and dialogues between civilizations. He highlighted PKU’s eagerness to communicate with the competitive universities in Turkmenistan and other countries in Middle Asia via staff and student exchange programs. He also expressed his wish that young people in China and Turkmenistan could create a prosperous future together based on trust and friendship.

Ms. Liu Yandong commended President Berdimuhamedov on his long-lasting effort to promote the cooperation between China and Turkmenistan in various fields. In her speech, she pointed out that the title of Honorary Professor of PKU is a most appropriate recognition for President Berdimuhamedov’s achievement as an eminent medical expert. She also envisioned the opportunities and future prospects of Chinese-Turkmen relations and stressed on China’s determination to encourage further cooperation between the two countries.

In his acceptance speech following the bestowal of the Honorary Professorship, President Berdimuhamedov said that it was his great honor to receive the title of Honorary Professor from PKU and that he would cherish the honor which exemplified the friendship between Chinese and Turkmen people. He hoped that universities in China would enhance their communication and cooperation with their Turkmen partners and make contributions to Turkmen-Chinese dialogue.

President Berdimuhamedov giving acceptance speech

Written by: Chen Jiayu
Edited by: Li Xiaomeng
Source: PKU News (Chinese)