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22 Nov 2005 10:03:39
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Luton, Professor Les Ebdon, was among just 29 ‘friends’ from around the world chosen by the Chinese government to receive a special phone call to mark the unveiling of the 2008 Olympic Games mascots – The Five Friendlies.
The Chinese authorities selected the Vice Chancellor because of the role the University has played in training more than 100 journalists from Beijing, on a specially-designed Master’s degree (MA) in Media Management, to help them deal with the world’s media at the 2008 Games.
Professor Ebdon said: “It was a great honour to be chosen as one of just 29 people from across the world. The organisers of the Olympics are delighted with the training that some of the country’s media professionals have received at the University and obviously wanted us to share in this important day.”
The special call came from a young schoolgirl from Western China, who herself had been chosen from millions of schoolchildren to chat with ‘friends’, to mark the unveiling of the mascots.
“The student described the mascots to me and explained that they represent traditional symbols of Chinese friendship,” said Professor Ebdon. “Her English was excellent and she told me how excited she was to be speaking to friends in Luton.
“She said one of the mascots was being posted to me as a friendship gift from the children of Western China and went on to congratulate the people of London on their successful bid to host the 2012 Olympic Games.”
Several Chinese students currently studying at the University joined the Vice Chancellor as he received the call. They chatted to the schoolgirl, telling her about life in Luton and about the preparations that are already underway in East London for the 2012 Games.
The Vice Chancellor added: “Clearly our experience in helping train professionals for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing will be invaluable as the University works to contribute to the 2012 Games in London.”
The University of Luton is currently training its fourth group of students from China on its MA in Media Management.
To find out more about the range of courses available at the University’s School of Media, Art and Design, call 0800 389 6633 or visit www.luton.ac.uk.
Latest news» 2005» Nov» Luton Selected as ‘Friend’ of Chinese Olympic Games
