Airbus today officially names Jinfeng Primary School, a primary school in China’s Sichuan province, as “Airbus Innovation School”. Airbus decided to make a donation to the school, which was shattered by last year’s earthquake, and entered into a long-term partnership to support its development. Airbus’s donation, RMB 500,000, will be used for the reconstruction of the school and to purchase equipment needed to create the framework for its information technology facilities.
With the support of central and local government, Jinfeng Primary School will be re-rebuilt in time to reopen in the second half of 2009. The new school will be 4 times larger than the old one and better all round, with improved facilities, yet continuing to pursue innovation in order to offer the best education possible.
“We are here to deliver our promise that we made last year following the earthquake,” said Dr. Rainer Ohler, Airbus Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Communications. “Education and innovation are the two drivers of long-term, sustainable economic and social prosperity. Our investment in this school is a reflection of our commitment to our partnership with China.”
Mr. Min Yongxiang, Deputy Chief of the Mianyang Education, Culture and Sports Bureau thanked Airbus for its generosity and said: “Support from world leading companies such as Airbus will definitely help us improve our education. We believe that the Airbus Innovation School will have a bright future.”
At the naming ceremony, Dr. Ohler, together with local government officials, teachers and students planted 40 trees on the campus to mark Airbus’ 40 years of innovation and launch a photographic competition called “See the Bigger Picture”, part of the worldwide Green Wave program, in which children plant trees and learn about biodiversity, in China. Following the ceremony, 10 pupils from the school were invited to the Panda Reservation Zone in Chengdu, where they took photos of the pandas to enter in the competition.
At the naming ceremony, Dr. Ohler, together with local government officials, teachers and students planted 40 trees on the campus to mark Airbus’ 40 years of innovation and launch a photographic competition called “See the Bigger Picture”, part of the worldwide Green Wave program, in which children plant trees and learn about biodiversity, in China. Following the ceremony, 10 pupils from the school were invited to the Panda Reservation Zone in Chengdu, where they took photos of the pandas to enter in the competition.
Jinfeng Primary School is located in the remote area of Mianyang and provides education to children in nearby counties. The school was destroyed in the earthquake but fought to overcome the challenges and resumed normal classes soon afterwards. Today more than 600 teachers and pupils are working and studying at the school. Guided by the motto of “innovative study and creative development”, the school provides quality education throughout the complete curriculum leading up to graduation.
