Latest news with #DavidFerguson
Borneo Post
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Global experts call for cultural understanding, exchange in China's Harbin
Foreign experts pose for photos at the Chinese Baroque Historic and Cultural Block in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on July 12, 2025. – Xinhua photo HARBIN (July 24): While speaking of his bond with Chinese culture, 69-year-old British translator David Ferguson hummed a passage from the Peking Opera classic Dingjun Mountain, recalling how Chinese art has profoundly transformed his life. Ferguson, the honorary chief English editor of China's Foreign Languages Press, has lived and worked in China for nearly two decades. Over the years, his engagement with Chinese culture has deepened both professionally and personally – his son, who came to China with him as a toddler, has studied Peking Opera for many years and can now perform a range of opera pieces. He said he is proud of what his son has achieved, noting that his son's experiences have strengthened his belief that cultural exchange is his life's mission. Ferguson was a recipient of the inaugural Orchid Awards in 2023. The awards were established to honor international friends who have contributed to fostering cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world. From July 11 to 14, Ferguson joined dozens of global scholars, cultural experts and awardees of this year's Orchid Awards on a visit to Harbin, the capital city of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province famous for its unique music and cultural offerings. To Ferguson, meaningful dialogue between civilisations often takes place not on grand stages, but during ordinary encounters – much like his bond with Peking Opera. 'We tend to associate cultural exchange first with fine arts, but ordinary people are in fact the protagonists of most cultural interactions,' he said. He recalled a visit years ago to rural areas in northwest China's Gansu Province to learn about local poverty alleviation efforts. Foreign experts visit the Space Museum of the Harbin Institute of Technology in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on July 11, 2025. – Xinhua photo In a village inhabited by the Dongxiang ethnic group, children welcomed him in a modest classroom by performing 'Auld Lang Syne' – a memory that remains vivid to this day. 'As a Scotsman, hearing the melody of my homeland in a Chinese village thousands of miles away brought tears to my eyes. It was the most precious gift I've received in China,' he said, noting that such moments of cultural exchange are more important than ever in a world troubled by conflicts and tensions. For German medical scientist Thomas Rabe, who also participated in the Harbin tour, cultural exchange has been consolidating his family's long-standing friendship with China and will continue to contribute to international peace and friendship. Rabe is the chairman of the John Rabe Communication Center, which is dedicated to commemorating his grandfather John Rabe for his role in protecting civilians during the Nanjing Massacre in 1937, an atrocity committed during Japan's war of aggression against China. Over the years, Thomas Rabe has dedicated himself to compiling over 20 volumes of wartime diaries written by his grandfather. He has donated thousands of pages of the original manuscripts to Chinese authorities and Unesco. These diaries have become invaluable historical resources for research on the Nanjing Massacre. Rabe also shared with Xinhua how a China-German medical cooperation project he helped launch at Capital Medical University in Beijing enabled a Chinese cancer patient to give birth to two healthy children. For his contributions to cultural and scientific exchanges, Rabe was awarded the Friendship Envoy Award at the second Orchid Awards earlier this month. 'For my family, China has been, is, and will always remain our second homeland,' he said. Guo Weimin, president of the China Public Relations Association and deputy chair of this year's Orchid Awards expert committee, emphasised that cultural exchange is a vital force for connecting civilisations and advancing the development of human society. 'Visionary individuals from around the world, including the Orchid Awards honorees and nominees, have made outstanding contributions to international cultural dialogue and mutual learning among civilisations,' Guo said. 'Their efforts inspire confidence in our shared pursuit of peace and common development.' – Xinhua China cultural understanding global experts Harbin Xinhua
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
East Kilbride v Inverness CT
Update: Date: 5' Title: Booking Content: Liam Sole (Inverness CT) is shown the yellow card. Update: Date: 2' Title: Post Content: Corner,Inverness CT. Conceded by Joe Morrison. Update: Date: 1' Title: Post Content: Billy Mckay (Inverness CT) wins a free kick in the attacking half. Update: Date: 1' Title: Post Content: Foul by David Ferguson (East Kilbride). Update: Date: 1' Title: Kick Off Content: First Half begins. Update: Date: 1' Title: Post Content: Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Glasgow Times
12-07-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
New diabetes testing pilot launched by NHS Lanarkshire
NHS Lanarkshire is launching the patient-centred scheme to help people living with, or at risk of, type 2 diabetes monitor their condition without needing to visit a clinic. Participants will use a specialist kit to collect a small blood sample at home and return it by freepost for analysis. Dr Isabel Howat, consultant physician for diabetes at NHS Lanarkshire, said: "We are thrilled to be part of this significant step forward in modernising diabetes care. "This new initiative will allow patients at risk of type 2 diabetes, who choose to take part, to be tested for diabetes without having to attend a clinic appointment. "Patients will also be able to feedback as to how they found it, which will be very important in helping us develop the service." The project, delivered in partnership with diagnostics company Randox and the NHS West of Scotland Innovation Hub, will initially be offered to patients using NHS Lanarkshire's Weight Management Service. READ MORE: Glasgow dad's tragic death after 'routine drug' reaction following hip replacement David Ferguson, chief operations officer at Randox, said: "Current estimates suggest that 10% of type 2 diabetes cases are undiagnosed, highlighting the need for an initiative such as this. "Our aim was to develop a solution that can deliver sustainable and accessible at-home testing through the development and distribution of self-collection blood sample kits, that patients can easily use. "We're excited to roll this out in partnership with NHS Lanarkshire to improve health outcomes through innovative, patient-friendly technology." Once analysed by Randox, results will be shared with patients and their GPs to support ongoing care and treatment. Ela Fergusson, industry collaboration project manager, NHS West of Scotland Innovation Hub, said: "Enabling patients to manage aspects of their health from home while staying connected to the relevant care, aims to enhance their overall experience. "I'd like to thank all involved including NHS Lanarkshire's Weight Management Service and Randox alongside NHS National Services Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland, NHS Lanarkshire Research, Development and Innovation and NHS Lanarkshire Digital Services. "This forward-thinking project, funded by the Chief Scientist Office, is a great example of collaboration in response to the growing need for more flexible healthcare."
RNZ News
11-06-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
The man reimagining teacher training
education national 25 minutes ago Last year, Westlake Boys School headmaster David Ferguson left his job of 15 years to address a critical issue - a lack of teachers. David is now the first CEO of The Teachers' Institute. A charitable trust providing an alternative pathway to becoming a qualified teacher.
Irish Post
29-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Post
Facilities solutions provider ABM wins €10m cleaning contract for Galway hospitals
A LEADING facilities solutions provider has won a lucrative contract to provide cleaning services across a number of hospitals in Galway. US-headquartered ABM has been awarded a new healthcare contract worth €10m with Ireland's Heath Service Executive (HSE). Under the contract, up to 350 staff who worked for the previous contract holder are transitioning to ABM to provide cleaning services across eight Galway hospitals - which include critical environments such as operating theatres and intensive care units. University Hospital Galway is one of eight hospitals under the contract The contract will see ABM work across all facilities at University Hospital Galway, Merlin Park University Hospital (MPUH), the Adult Acute Mental Health Unit (AAMHU) and five HSE administration buildings in Galway City. It also includes work on the newly opened outpatients department and cystic fibrosis unit at MPUH. 'With the delivery of this contract, ABM is supporting the Department of Health's Waiting List Initiative to deliver reductions in waiting lists by having cleaning operatives available for out of hours clinics,' a HSE spokesperson explained. 'We have found ABM to have an extremely professional approach to providing cleaning services at the two public acute hospitals in Galway city,' Geoff Ginnetty, Services Manager at Galway University Hospitals, said of their latest contract win. 'ABM has so far demonstrated a responsiveness to the requirements of our hospitals, in a busy and challenging healthcare environment. 'We look forward to building on this promising start, to develop a strong working relationship between Galway University Hospitals and ABM.' David Ferguson, Operations Director, All Ireland at ABM, said 'building on the success we have in the Irish healthcare sector by providing more facilities management services is part of our growth strategy'. He added that this was a 'key differentiator in our successful bid' for the lucrative contract. 'We are looking forward to working together with our new team of over 350 people to deliver exceptional services and ensure the highest standards of cleanliness and safety throughout this critical setting,' he added. Under the contract, ABM will invest €1m in new equipment, uniforms, training, and administration systems for their increased workforce. See More: ABM, Cleaning, Facilities, Galway, Hospitals
