Harbin Presentation

Nin Hao (Hello),

On November 4th, I was invited to give a presentation at Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen Graduate School. I was invited by Dr.Qiang Lu, professor and supervisor in Business Management. My topic was entitled "Becoming a Global Leader in Management." My audience consisted mainly of masters and doctoral students and faculty. I found out just shortly before giving the presentation that Dr. Lu had several of his students advertise and place posters around campus. I have provided a picture of one. The school is in a plaza with several other universities' grad programs. For instance, University of Beijing (considered the number one school in China) was invited to attend. As a result, I had the honor of addressing students and faculty from different institutions located in University City Plaza.

I spoke for one hour and a half which was then followed by a flurry of questions from students and faculty. I thought that I was back in grad school defending my dissertation before my committee! Actually, I truly enjoyed the exchange of ideas and the many good observations raised about the topic, as well as being questioned about the recent election in the U.S.

After the speech, a number of students approached me, asking if I would have my picture taken with them (why not!). I have included some pictures of these events. This will probably be my last presentation in China. I have only a few months left (can't believe the time is going by so quickly) and I want to focus more on my class lectures and the three research projects that are underway. I have been invited by Dr. Lu to do some future research with him. Clearly, this experience has proven to be mutually beneficial which is often the way things get done in China.

I should also quickly mention that I needed to visit a Chinese clinic at the end of that week. I had a painful in-grown toe nail develop. To say I was nervous about visiting a clinic where the doctor did not speak English and I do not speak Chinese, is an understatement. Fortunately, I had a Chinese student (whose parents are doctors and whose mom runs the clinic) with me. He helped to translate and keep my mind occupied while the doctor, who constantly smiled and asked if I would take a picture with him--that's a first for me--did the procedure. The doctor originally asked if I wanted the whole toe nail or only half the toe nail removed. I hope he was kidding!! The procedure went well and I thanked the doctor, his staff, and my student for helping to relax a very nervous "U.S. American" patient and for doing such a professional job. By the way, the bill for his services, the clinic room and the medicine cost approximately $13!!! It will be hard getting use to the prices in the U.S. when I return.

Zai Jian (Good bye)

Dr. Haskins