Chinese Ambassador Zhao Yanbo Awarded Doctor of Civil Laws
By Ibrahim Joenal Sesay
The University of Sierra Leone has awarded the Honorary
Degree of Doctor of Civil Laws (honoris Causa) to His Excellency Zhao Yanbo
Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Sierra Leone,
at the Mary Kingsley Auditorium Fourah Bah College Mount Aureol on Friday 30th
September 2016.
University Register, Sorie N. Dumbuya in his welcome
remarks used the opportunity to inform his audience that the authority for the
conferment of any degree or similar award in the University of Sierra Leone is
vested in the Head of State in his capacity as Chancellor of the University of
Sierra Leone as provided in section 13 A of the universities Act of 2005.
“However, section 13 B of this Act also provides for this
authority to be delegated to any person that holds the position of
Vice-Chancellor and Principal, whether in a substantive or an acting
capacity.”
The Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principle Professor
Ekundayo J.D. Thompson disclosed that it was a special congregation for the
conferment of the Degree of Doctor of Civil Laws (honorisCausa) to His
Excellency Zhao Yanbo Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the
Republic of Sierra Leone.
Professor Ekundayo J.D. Thompson took the opportunity to
congratulate Ambassador Zhao Yanbo on the conferment of the degree, and for his
successful diplomatic assignment in Sierra Leone.
“Let me also congratulate the people of China and Sierra
Leone on the 45th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic
relations between the two counties.”
He disclosed that the people of China have a rich
repertoire of wise sayings and proverbs which encapsulate a range of life
experiences.
One uniquely appropriate Chinese saying readily came to
Professor Thompson mind. It reads “If you drink water, don’t forget the person
who dug the well”.
He went on to say that the people of Sierra Leone are
beginning to drink water from the pool of Chinese- sponsored projects in Sierra
Leone. He added that since his arrival in Sierra Leone, His Excellency Zhao
Yanbo had shown interest in the efforts of the Administration of the University
and that of Fourah Bay College to regain its Athens glory.
“When some Sierra Leoneans at home and aboard are taking
arms, including the pen which can sometimes be used as a weapon of mass
destruction to destroy character and the illusion that Fourah Bay College is
dying, others are asking, what they can do to help. Ambassador ZhaaoYanbo, a
true friend of Foura Bay College, had asked “What can we do to address the
challenges with which you are grapping, and solve the problems which constrain
your work?” Indeed we express our gratitude for his support and solidarity.”
Professor Thompson stressed that his Excellency Zhao
Yanbo is a man of quiet disposition which belies his towering intellectual and
convivial personality. A diploma par excellence!
“The degree of Doctor of Civil Laws Honor is Causa, to be
conferred on our honorary graduand is in recognition of his contribution to the
University of Sierra Leone. It is a symbol of honour for him and his
institution, the People’s Republic of China institution, the Embassy of the
People’s Republic of China.” Professor Thompson concluded by saying Ambassador
Zhao Yanbo is an admirer and friend of Fourah Bay College. He has been a
frequent visitor to the College campus and has fulfilled his dream to be part
of the Fourah Bay College brand.
“As you leave, you are taking with you Records of Alumni
of Fourah Bay College 1827-2012. It will serve as an important point of
reference for you.”
Honorary Graduate, his Excellency Zhao Yanbo in his vote
of thanks said he is very proud and excited to be one of the alumni of the
University of Sierra Leone.
“I will place it on record, keep it in heart and practice
it in life.”
The thanked the Vice Chancellor and Principle Professor
Thompson, members of the Senate of the Court of the University of Sierra Leone,
President Ernest Koroma, Vice President Dr. Victor Foh, the government and
people of Sierra Leone for honoured him.
“The Honorary Doctorate degree I am awarded is not only
my personal honour, but also a tribute to the work of the Chinese Embassy.
Ambassador Yanbo went on to say that the University of
Sierra Leone is a reputable university, which has the oldest college in West
Africa which is the Fourah Bay College.
He said as the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, one of
his duties is to promote the cultural exchanges between the two countries and
people.
Ambassador Yanbo added that he has great empathy with the
university during his tenure in Sierra Leone.
“I’ve kept a lot of fond memories relating to the
University of Sierra Leone. I firmly believe that the cultural exchanges
between China-Sierra Leone will definitely be closer and closer.”
Profile
and Contributions of the Honorary Graduate, His Excellency Zhao Yanbo
His Excellency Zhao Yanbo has been the Chinese Ambassador
to Sierra Leone since August, 2013.
Among his accomplishments include the following under
parts A. (specific) and B. (General):
He has contributed significantly to improving the image
of the country by helping in the fight against ebola (in his professional
capacity) and the post-ebola recovery activities.
He has forged high level diplomatic exchanges between the
Chinese and Sierra Leonean governments.
He has contributed to the development and growth of the
University of Sierra Leone by helping students with various scholarships and
bursaries to study in China, including increasing the number of Chinese
Government scholarships given annually from 35 to 50.
He has contributed to improving the human condition by
assisting the Sierra Leonean government in its fight against the ebola, with
China being the first country to make a timely response to His Excellency the
President’s appeal for assistance in the fight against ebola.
In all, His Excellency Zhao Yanbo has satisfied the
honorary degrees Committee in all areas in the Guidelines for Nominating
Candidates for Honorary degrees.
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