21 October 2008

Farewell to Professor Binglin Li

By Moira Blake

On Wednesday 8th October, a number of IPC staff met for an afternoon tea function to farewell Professor Binglin Li, who came from Guizhou University in Guiyang, Palmerston North's sister city in China four and a half months ago to do some research for his books. To most people on campus, he was something of a mystery, a quiet Chinese man we saw in passing in the dining room or in the Adminstration block.

Professor Binglin Li

Professor Li accepting a gift from IPC, presented by Karl Gill (Assistant to the Chairman of the Board)

Professor Li with IPC staff at the Farewell Function

Behind that quiet exterior, though, was a scholar hard at work, doing the research needed to allow him to create a model of writing proficiency and to edit two books which will be used in universities throughout China. Some of the time he spent at Massey University and the rest here at IPC. When asked what he enjoyed most about his time, Professor Li immediately replied: "The libraries". He had been very happy to have access to the different range of books available at each institution. This access had contributed enormously to providing him with a very good environment for his research.

As for what had been difficult, Professor Li commented that time had gone too fast, he had not been able to travel as much as he would have liked, and also that he had had to miss the "Writers' Conference" that he normally attended in China.

Below is the text of Professor Li's farewell message to the staff members who attended the afternoon tea. This message gives more insight in to what life has been like for Professor Li during his stay in Palmerston North and how much he has enjoyed the time he has been able to spend with those staff members who did get to know him.

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