AstraZeneca Pharmaceutical. Co. Ltd. and Shanghai Luwan Special School jointly announced last weekend the opening of a painting exhibition in Xin Tian Di by special school students. The two parties also announced the finalists for the second Maple Prize - AstraZeneca Fund for Special Education.
The painting exhibition, bearing the theme "Painting Our Love for Special Education", features nearly 100 artworks by Luwan Special School students. The exhibition was held from November 4 to November 7 and was free to the public. Officials from Luwan District, Deputy General Counsels from Britain and Sweden, and family members of Luwan Special School students attended the opening ceremony.
"As one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies, AstraZeneca is in China, for China," said James Ward-Lilley, President of AstraZeneca China. "We have established a long-term partnership with Shanghai Luwan Special School, and we have been named as a Friend of the Games for 2007 Special Olympics Games. By holding this painting exhibition, we hope to raise the awareness of the Special Olympics and call on more people to support special education."
Established in June 1986, Shanghai Luwan Special School resolutely advocates the concept of special education. Integrating skills training into its curriculum, the School helps students return to mainstream society.
He Jindi, Headmaster of Shanghai Luwan Special School and China National Model Worker hosted the ceremony. "The development of special education needs the attention and participation of the whole society," said He. "We call on more enterprises and individuals to care and support the special education teachers and recognize their efforts and contributions to the special education."
Also at the opening ceremony, AstraZeneca presented awards to 12 finalists for the Maple Prize - AstraZeneca Fund for Special Education. The Maple Prize, set up in June 2005, is a unique cooperation between AstraZeneca and Shanghai Luwan Special School. AstraZeneca grants 100,000 yuan to set up 5 awards respectively for Teaching Ethics, Best Teaching Practice, Scientific Research Innovation, Team Work and Optimism & Open-mindedness.
AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business leader engaged in research, development, manufacturing and marketing of prescription pharmaceuticals and supplier of healthcare services. It is also one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies with US healthcare sales totaling US$23.95 billion and is a leader in gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, neuroscience, respiratory, oncology and infection product sales.
(China.org.cn November 8, 2006)
