Historical ties link SXU and UK

(chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated : 2016-12-14

Andrew Williams, president of the UK-based company Collabrium Capital paid a visit to Shanxi University (SXU) on Dec 12.

Williams’ family has a historical connection with Shanxi University. Shanxi province’s capital, Taiyuan, was where his father was born. His grandfather, Noah Williams, even worked as a geography teacher at Shanxi Grand School (the predecessor to Shanxi University) from 1906 to 1912.

Williams will have items left by his grandfather collected and exhibited in SXU for the next 10 years, including a medal and an employment credential, given by Emperor Xuantong (1909-1911) of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), an old map describing Shanxi province’s territory, and black-and-white photographs recording his grandfather’s stay in the province at the time.

A photograph recording the former site of the Shanxi Grand School (the predecessor to Shanxi University). The Shanxi Grand School was founded in 1902 by Timothy Lee –– a British citizen –– and Cen Chunxuan, who was a governor of Shanxi at that time. It was one of the three pioneer national modern universities of China in the 1910s, along with the precursors to Peking University and Tianjin University. [Photo from en.wikipedia.org]

Jia Suotang (L), president of Shanxi University, and Andrew Williams (R) are photographed holding the appointment certificate of his grandfather, presented by Emperor Xuantong (1909-1911) of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).[Photo from sxu.edu.cn]

Jia Suotang (L) and Andrew Williams (R) are photographed holding the medal once owned by Williams’ grandfather, conferred by Emperor Xuantong (1909-1911) of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) for helping develop plans for Shanxi province’s coal industry. [Photo from sxu.edu.cn]

At the reception, Williams told a brief story about the medal and emphasized the honor the medal brought for the Williams family. He expressed his family’s excitement at the prospect of returning it to the university where his grandfather once taught. He claimed it was a symbol of the part his grandfather had played at Shanxi University and in China’s education sector, and hoped that it would serve as a bridge for fostering cultural exchanges between China and the UK.

Jia Suotang (second from left) and Andrew Williams (second from right) pose for a group photograph with a map of Shanxi province. [Photo from sxu.edu.cn]

Jia Suotang (L) holds up a photograph given to him by Andrew Williams (M) [Photo from sxu.edu.cn]

Jia spoke highly of Williams’ family for its good wishes for the school and the respect it had shown for its history. Finally, he presented the visiting delegation with gifts, including a traditional Chinese painting and sculpture to mark the visit.

A painting is presented to Andrew Williams (R) [Photo from sxu.edu.cn]

A gift of a sculpture is presented to Andrew Williams (M) [Photo from sxu.edu.cn]

SXU President Jia Suotang (L) holds Andrew Williams (R) in a warm embrace. [Photo from sxu.edu.cn]

Williams completed his visit to Shanxi University on Apr 18, 2016. At the final meeting that day, SXU president, Jia Suotang, spoke of his hopes for investment from Williams’ company, Collabrium Capital. And Williams introduced his company’s profile and operations in China. He also highlighted his desire to support the province.

Collabrium Capital is a specialist emerging markets investment house. It provides corporate finance, advisory services and fund management advice with a strong private equity focus in emerging markets, with a geographical bias towards Asia and an industry focus on energy and real assets. Collabrium has established offices in Hong Kong and Chongqing, China.

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