First Foreign Dean of ZJU Leaves on Expiration of His Term of Office

First Foreign Dean of ZJU Leaves on Expiration of His Term of Office

October 9, 2007, SIS

On the afternoon of September, 30^th, 2007, a celebration was held in the conference hall of SIS to express appreciation
to Prof. Steinmueller, a famous linguist and the Dean of SIS, who is also the first foreign dean of Zhejiang University. The meeting was emceed by Mr. Hu Songfa, the Party Secretary of SIS. Also present were Prof. Pang Xuequan, deputy Party Secretary of Zhejiang University, as well as other 80 participants, including all the members of the leading group of SIS, all professors, and representatives of teachers and students.

Prof. Pang Xuequan, on behalf of Zhejiang University, extended his gratitude to Prof. Steinmueller for his contribution in
bringing new education concepts to Zhejiang University and his unremitting efforts to facilitate the teaching and scientific
research of SIS. Prof. Pang also expressed his appreciation towards Prof. Steinmueller’s competence and conscientiousness. Finally, he wished Prof. Steinmueller good health and sincerely hoped that he could visit Zhejiang University at his
convenience to witness the development of the university and that of SIS.

Prof. Fan Jieping, acting deputy dean, Prof. Huang Jianbin, representing SIS teachers, Ms. Yang Liqiu, representing
administrative staff in the offices, and Zhang Chen, student representative made speeches respectively. They sincerely
reviewed the effective and innovative methods Prof. Steinmueller had put forth since he took the post in 2003. During his
term, he has introduced research institutes to replace the departments and the education model of “foreign language plus X”, advocating the idea of upgrading teaching through scientific research. All of the representatives spoke highly of Prof.
Steinmueller for the great contributions to the school and the university. They, on behalf of all the teachers and students of SIS, showed their heart-felt respect and gratitude to Prof. Steinmueller. It is hoped that he could keep on touch with SIS
and watch the development.

Subsequently, Prof. Steinmueller took the floor. In his speech, he recollected a scene five years ago when he received the
invitation to be the dean of SIS in Zhejiang University. He was highly aware of the hardship of this job, but he decided to
take the post after discreet consideration. He has always been grateful towards the invitation from the university and the
trust they have for him. He remarked that the achievement SIS gained in the past few years in teaching, scientific research, social service and many other areas came out of the joint efforts of all the teachers and students of SIS and thus could not be owed merely to him. Prof. Steinmueller said that he would continue to energetically promote the cooperation and
exchange between SIS and other universities in China and abroad.

After the meeting, many teachers and students of SIS were eager to bid farewell to and take photos with Prof.
Steinmueller, feeling rather reluctant to leave.