International scholars strengthen global ties

Chinese Rhodes Scholars are playing an important role in strengthening international understanding and demonstrating the value of empathy and collaboration in global leadership, according to Richard Trainor, provost of the Rhodes Trust at the University of Oxford.

Speaking at China Daily's Vision China event, themed "Listen to Each Other, Open New Horizons", in London on Thursday, Trainor said the inclusion of scholars from China in the Rhodes community over the past decade had opened "a new conversation between Oxford and China".

Rhodes Scholarships, established more than a century ago, are among the world's oldest postgraduate international scholarship programs. Each year, 103 new scholars from 25 country-based constituencies enroll as postgraduate students at Oxford.

Since the first Chinese Rhodes Scholars were selected 10 years ago, 44 have joined the Rhodes community, working across fields ranging from healthcare and poverty alleviation to machine learning, entrepreneurship, disability studies and archaeology.

"Our Chinese Rhodes Scholars show that empathy, collaboration and courage are key attributes for 21st-century leadership," Trainor said.

He said Chinese scholars had formed a network of intellectual scholarship and friendship with their counterparts from around the world, with some going on to serve at organizations including the World Bank and the United Nations, as well as studying and teaching at institutions in China and abroad.

Trainor, who has visited China regularly since 2000 through his academic leadership roles and work with the Rhodes Trust, said he had been consistently struck by the warmth of the hospitality he received.

"I have great respect for China as one of the world's great civilizations and as a powerful force globally today," he said, adding that it was "terrific" to have China as part of the Rhodes Trust's international family.

He also highlighted the cultural exchanges taking place at Rhodes House, where Chinese New Year has become an annual highlight for scholars in residence.

Looking to the next decade, Trainor said global challenges would require leaders capable of working across national and cultural differences.

"We need curiosity without boundaries, conviction without arrogance and connection across difference," he said.

wangmingjie@mail.chinadailyuk.com