A research center on urban studies, jointly established by CELAP and UK’s prestigious Oxford University, officially kicked off in Shanghai on October 16.

 

Feng Jun, CELAP’s Executive Vice President, Professor Alan Hudson, Director of Oxford University’s Center for Public Policy and Leadership, and Consul Alastair Arnold from the Consulate-General of the United Kingdom in Shanghai, attended the unveiling ceremony. CELAP officials He Lisheng, Zhang Shengxin, Wang Youming and Zhang Yiping also appeared the event, which was presided by Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Exchanges and Program Development Liu Genfa.

 

Prof. Feng Jun expressed his gratitude toward the support and assistance of Oxford University and of the British consulate-general in Shanghai. He recalled the signing of cooperation agreement with Professor Ewan McKnedrick at Oxford University in July. The establishment of the research center not only witnesses the fruitful friendship between CELAP and Oxford University since 2005 but also heralds more cooperation in urban studies in the future. A win-win pattern will be realized on scholar exchange, joint research, training programs and book publishing due to the funding of the research center, he added.

 

During his speech, Professor Alan Hudson said the launching of the research center represents an important step between Oxford and CELAP, which would usher in a closer relationship in the future. Consul Alastair Arnold conveyed British Consul-General Brian Davidson’s congratulations to the establishment of the center, saying it would help Britain and China share fruits and experiences in urban studies as well as seek further cooperation and exchanges.

 

During the ceremony, CELAP also invites Alan Hudson as a visiting professor.