2018-07-09
The 15th Fujian International Summer Camp on English and Scientific Popularization kicked off in Xiapu county, southeast China's Fujian province on July 9, 2018.
The 15th Fujian International Summer Camp on English and Scientific Popularization kicks off in Xiapu county, southeast China’s Fujian province on July 9, 2018.
The event was co-sponsored by the Fujian Association for Science and Technology (FAST), the Asia Institute Crane House, and the People's Government of Xiapu County.
Shi Bin, vice president of FAST, Joel Buno, executive director of the Asia Institute Crane House, Zhang Minghua, president of the Association for Science and Technology of Ningde city, Fujian province, and Zheng Tiejun, deputy secretary of the Xiapu County Committee of the Communist Party of China, attended the opening ceremony.
FAST and the Asia Institute Crane House signed an agreement for further cooperation during the opening ceremony. In the following twenty days, over 160 teachers and students from Xiapu county would participate in the summer camp together with six volunteering teachers from the U.S.
Shi Bin extended his welcome and thanks to the volunteering teachers who had come all the way from the U.S. to Xiapu. Shi noted that this summer camp in Xiapu would further promote the non-governmental scientific and cultural exchanges between China and the U.S. He hoped that participating students would seize the opportunity to develop their interest in English and science and their ability to explore and innovate and improve themselves comprehensively.
Zheng Tiejun introduced to the American guests the rich culture and beautiful scenery of Xiapu county. Zheng believed that the summer camp would provide local students and faculties a wider international vision, new educational concepts, and a unique learning experience. The summer camp would also improve local students' science literacy and communication skills and local English teachers' teaching ability.
Joel Buno extended his appreciation to FAST and the local government for their support to this event. Buno noted that both sides would benefit a lot from the summer camp, and looked forward to taking the program to a higher level by strengthening cooperation with FAST.
Based on the grades in school, the selected participating students do not need to pay any fees. There are also places specifically for students from poor families.
During the camp, local students and teachers, as well as American teachers, would take part in diverse activities including English courses, science popularization lectures, fun science competitions, learning experience sharing sessions, and visits to students's homes.