On the 14^th of October, Renmin University held an Honourary Doctorate Conferral Ceremony on behalf of Australia’s Deakin University.  This occasion was doubly significant as it was the first Honorary Doctorate Conferral Ceremony held in China on behalf of a foreign university. Deakin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane den Hollander, Deputy-Vice Chancellor Professor Gary Smith and Australian Ambassador HE Ms Jan Adams’ appointed representative Ms Lisa Bateman were in attendance at the conferral ceremony. Renmin University Council and School Board Chairwoman JIN Nuo and Vice President YI Zhihong attended and were witness to the conferral ceremony. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Gary Smith presided over the ceremony. During the ceremony Professor Smith gave a speech in which he related Professor ZHANG Yongxian’s deep understanding of Australian society and culture – including Australian English – bringing attention to his significant academic publication "From English to Globish: A Socio-Cultural History of the English Language." Professor Smith highly praised Professor ZHANG’s contribution to the promotion and deepening of Sino-Australian relations. He indicated that it was Professor ZHANG who in 1999 established Renmin University’s Australian Studies Centre, that this is China’s largest Australian Studies Centre, and that this Centre has fostered over 100 Master’s and PhD graduates under the guidance of Professor ZHANG and visiting scholars from Australia. This Centre has many approaches to foster an increased understanding of the Sino-Australian relationship such as holding Australian Culture Week and Australian Literature Week, creating a bilingual website, and creating an official blog on Weibo and Weixin. Since the founding of Renmin University’s Australian Studies Centre, successive Australian Ambassadors and heads-of-state have come to visit Renmin University, and all have highly lauded Professor ZHANG’s contributions. Vice-Chancellor Hollander expressed thanks to Chairwoman JIN for her attendance at and witnessing of Deakin University’s Honorary Doctorate Conferral Ceremony. Vice-Chancellor Hollander awarded Professor ZHANG with his Honorary Doctorate certificate as well as a memento to commemorate this noteworthy achievement. During Professor ZHANG’s speech he expressed thanks to Deakin University for their painstaking preparation in holding this ceremony, and he thanked the support of the leaders of Renmin University. During his speech Professor ZHANG paid tribute to his late Australian supervisor Wes Blackmore and his many Australian friends, concluding with a recital of the lyrics to the Australian song “My Country,” which was a stirring moment for all the students and academics in attendance. During the ceremony Chairwoman JIN of the Renmin University Council expressed her congratulations to Professor ZHANG, and further affirmed Professor ZHANG’s many profound academic achievements. Chairwoman JIN indicated that Deakin University bestowing an Honourary Doctorate on Professor ZHANG presents not only an honour for him, but also a joyous occasion for Renmin University. Professor ZHANG is a well-accomplished man. In the early 80s he studied at the University of Melbourne, and after graduation he worked at the Education Office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Australia. In 1994 he gained employment at Renmin University, where he has been until today. Professor ZHANG utilised the knowledge and experience gained during his long time living in Australia to develop Renmin University’s course “Australian Society and Culture,” which has been offered for over ten years and well received by all students. Moreover, Professor ZHANG’s publication "From English to Globish" can be found in libraries all over China. The section of this book titled “Australian English” embodies Professor ZHANG’s particularly profound comprehension of Australian language and culture. From 2014, with the support of Deakin University, Professor ZHANG created an official “English to Globish” Wechat Account, providing a free service that as of today has posted 46 articles and received wide public acclaim. The unremitting hard work of Professor ZHANG has not only received the accolades of Renmin University’s students and scholars, but also the praises of many Australian leaders and academics. Ms Lisa Bateman extended her congratulations to Professor ZHANG, and presented a gift to the professor on behalf of the Australian Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China. Deakin University was established in 1974, and is named after the second Prime Minister of Australia Alfred Deakin. It is one of Australia’s leading academic institutions, being promoted every year in the global university rankings. Deakin University has in the past offered full PhD scholarships to Renmin University Master’s graduates, has provided many opportunities for advanced studies to students of the School of Foreign Languages, and has held many academic exchanges between the two institutions, all of which have been of immense benefit to scholars and students from both sides. Prior to conferring the Honorary Doctorate, Vice President of Renmin University YI Zhihong and Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University Jane den Hollander signed a collaborative partnership agreement between the two institutions, expressing their ideas on how the two universities can further collaborative exchanges in the future. In accordance with the collaborative letter of intent, the collaboration and exchanges between both parties will without doubt expand and deepen, bear countless great achievements, and benefit students and scholars of both institutions.