Professor Patrict A. Randolph Jr is proud of a decision he made
11 years ago: to teach real-estate law at Peking University.
"The thing in my life that has made the most difference has been
my work in China, because here, I am unusual," Randolph, 61, said
yesterday. "When I first came here in 1994 nobody knew very much
about real-estate law, but I did."
Before coming to China, Randolph taught at the University of
Missouri for more than 30 years.
Apart from teaching in Beijing, he has arranged for American law
professionals to lecture in China.
His contribution was recognized yesterday by the Beijing
municipal government, which presented him with the "Great Wall
Friendship Award 2005." Fourteen other foreign experts working in
the city also won the award.
Beijing launched the annual award in 1999 to honor 10-20 foreign
experts each year who make significant contributions to the
development of the city; and so far, 96 foreigners have won the
award.
The 15 foreign experts chosen this year come from eight
countries: the United States, Germany, Italy, Canada, Greece, the
Republic of Korea, Cuba and the United Kingdom.
Award winner Professor Rhoda Perozzi, 58, an American who has
been with Beijing University of Technology's ecology department for
three and a half years, was described by Ji Xiaozhe, one of her
colleagues, as "extremely devoted."
Every semester, she carries two huge and heavy trunks of books
borrowed from American libraries to Chinese teachers and students
and takes them back at the end of the semester.
"She devotes almost all her time to helping students and
colleagues. She invites her students home to enjoy every American
festival," Ji said. "She has touched every student in our
school."
Vice-mayor Zhang Mao said at the award ceremony held at Beijing
Hotel last night: "The city's development and hosting of the 2008
Olympic Games need the support of the international community.
"We sincerely welcome more international experts and friends to
come and join Beijing's development in all fields."
Beijing has about 7,000 foreign experts working in diverse
fields such as education, culture, the arts, the press, medicine
and business, said Zhang.
Foreign experts are specialists such as researchers, teachers or
senior managers, who are invited to promote the country's economic
growth and social development.
(Shenzhen Daily January 13, 2006)
