The Rector of UG, prof. Piotr Stepnowski, decorated prof. Wu Lan with the Gold Medal of the University of Gdańsk. Prof. Wu Lan was the initiator of the establishment of the Confucius Institute at the University of Gdańsk and the Sinology Department of the Faculty of Philology UG.

The motion to award prof. Wu Lan with the Gold Medal of the University of Gdańsk was put forward by dr hab. Wojciech Bizon, prof. UG, the former Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Gdańsk. On Tuesday, June 1, a ceremony was held during which the Rector of the University of Gdańsk, prof. Piotr Stepnowski conferred the highest university distinction on Professor Wu Lan.

- 'I am very pleased with this distinction. I thank the Rector for the recognition of my work. I am happy that eight years ago I came here, to Gdańsk, and established Sinology. Our students study well, and the faculty itself has a very good reputation. I'm happy that I worked without sparing myself and got such an award today. I am very touched because of this. However, we have to work hard to keep raising the level of internationalisation and to increase the knowledge of Poland and the University of Gdańsk in China. Our work is that people with different cultures and roots can cooperate and work for the common good,' - says prof. Wu Lan.

Professor Wu Lan was the initiator of the establishment of the Confucius Institute at the University of Gdańsk and the sinology faculty. For the last seven years, with her knowledge, experience and commitment, she has been supporting the teaching of the Chinese language and popularizing the knowledge of Chinese tradition and culture. Thanks to her involvement, the Confucius Institute has been able to organise several meetings at the highest level among representatives of diplomacy, science, culture and business. It is also hard to overlook prof. Wu Lan's significant contribution to the development of bilateral relations between UG and partner universities in China, being not only an interpreter of delegations but above all a very efficient coordinator of official visits.

- 'In my opinion, with her work and attitude, Professor Wu Lan has repeatedly demonstrated that the good of the University of Gdańsk is her priority, and the distinction is an appreciation on the part of the UG authorities of her professionalism and commitment,' - said dr hab. Wojciech Bizon, Prof. UG, former Director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Gdańsk.