International Education Centre

Bangor University celebrates Chinese New Year

Sunday 29th January, 2012

Bangor University welcomed in the Chinese New Year with a party which celebrated the year of the golden dragon. Staff joined with the Chinese student society and other students and their families to celebrate the most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. Students helped put together the event, which began with welcoming speeches from Professor David Shepard, (Deputy Vice Chancellor), Professor Philip Molyneux (Head of the College or Business, Social Sciences and Law) and Oscar Wu (President of the Chinese Student Society).

Professor David Shepherd spoke about the connection between the year of the ‘Golden Dragon’ and the Welsh Dragon emblem which represents Wales. He hoped that this year would therefore bring “Stronger relationships and collaboration with Bangor Universities Chinese partners and great success for the students.”

Professor Molyneux thanked the Chinese society for bringing China into Wales and congratulated students for the major commitment they have made by travelling half way around the world to study, and the challenges which students have overcome. The Professor wished the students “Success, prosperity and lots more golden dragons.”

Oscar Wu commented,“The golden dragon represents emperor, power, luck and happiness.” Students who would usually be celebrating the festival at home with their families, joined together and welcomed in a new “joyful semester of new knowledge and challenges’

“We are thankful for the opportunity to be able to join together and celebrate the Chinese New Year as one big family, ” said Oscar Wu.

Guests at the party enjoyed a buffet-style dinner offering a variety of authentic Chinese food and performances which included hip hop dance, singing and traditional Mongolian dance. There were games and lottery draws with great prizes including ipod docks, printers and a laptop.