An Honorary Doctorate in Recognition of Technological Innovation PRESIDENT XI JINPING
On 11 April 2019, the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, was presented with an honorary doctorate by the University of Johannesburg (UJ). UJ’s Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment bestowed the honorary doctoral degree, Doctor Ingeneriae honoris causa, on President Jinping in recognition of his visionary technology successes that pave the way for an innovative, knowledge-based economy. The ceremony was attended by a high-powered mission from China that incorporated diplomats and more than 40 journalists from one of the world’s leading economies. A university with progressive ideology “The University of Johannesburg is a well-known Pan-African university in Africa”, said Chinese Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador Lin Songtian, who accepted the honorary doctoral degree on behalf of President Xi Jinping. “With its progressive ideology and deep roots in Africa, the University is committed to Africa’s innovation and development and has cultivated a large number of professional talents in such fields as engineering, business, law and humanities.” Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UJ said: “In the age of UJ pioneering the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we are proud to honour President Xi Jinping. As a direct result of his influence and
then acting Governor of the Zhejiang Province, among other roles. Xi was Vice-President of the
passion, China has become an international leader in technology.” “UJ’s purpose is to support and inspire its community”, continued Prof Marwala. “The University strives to transform and help humanity through innovation and the joint pursuit of knowledge. The values that underpin this vision and mission are imagination, conversation, regeneration and an
CPC from 2008 to 2013 and Vice-Chairman of the CMC from 2010 to 2012.
He became the seventh President of the People’s Republic of China on 14 March 2013. In 2018, Forbes ranked him as the most powerful and influential person in the world.
ethical foundation.” A global centre for technological innovation
President Jinping’s steady focus on developing a highly educated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) -based Chinese workforce draws elite global talent to his country. With its innovation-driven growth model, China has become a global centre for technological hardware innovation for many start-up companies. President Jinping, who has supported the values of innovation, has throughout his career and time in office realised a flourishing society, national renewal, and a better community with a shared future for humanity. About President Xi Jinping Xi Jinping was born in Beijing on 15 June 1953. He studied chemical engineering at Beijing’s Tsinghua University from 1975 to 1979 and entered the workforce as a secretary to a senior official in the Communist Party of China (CPC). He gained some military experience when he was later appointed a secretary to the Central Military Commission’s (CMC) Secretary-General. Rising through the political ranks, Xi became Secretary of the CPC’s Zhejiang Provincial Committee,
President XI Jinping
China’s Ambassador, His Excellency Lin Songtian accepting honorary doctorate on behalf of the President of China
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