Vice President of China Jiliang University (CJLU), Fan Qingyu, headed a delegation to visit universities in the United States and Canadian during April 19-26, 2015.
In the United States, the delegation visited the Western Illinois University (WIU). WIU founded in 1899 is a four-year public university in Illinois state and it can award bachelor, master and doctoral degrees. WIU ranks in the Midwest in the latest ranking of USA News and World Report. Kathleen Neumann, Vice President of WIU in charge of the international affairs, Richard W. Carter, the director of the international affairs, warmly welcomed CJLU’s delegation. Both sides discussed the exchanges of teachers and students, teaching and scientific research cooperation, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The delegation also held a talk with Ray Diez, head of the Department of Engineering Technology, and met an international student management team and visited the living area, students dormitory and logistics services. Finally, the delegation met Mr. Mike Inman, the mayor of Macomb city where WIU is located.
Then, the delegation visited Kennesaw State University (KSU) in Georgia. KSU was founded in 1963. It is a public comprehensive university and is famous for its high quality of university education. KSU can award bachelor, master and doctoral degree. It ranks third in Georgia universities. According Georgia educational plan, CJLU’s partner, Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU), would be merged into KSU soon. Director of the international affairs of KSU, Dr. Mark Forehand and Assistant Director of international programs, Linda Sun, met CJLU’s delegation. Both parties reviewed the teachers visits, "2 + 2" programs between CJLU and SPSU and wished to sign the MOU shortly after SPSU merged into KSU in order to consolidate the current cooperation projects and to further expand cooperation areas and scope. Subsequently, the delegation discussed some topics such as the cooperation modes, scholarship, student exchange, 2+2 programs, English preparatory students with the relevant person in charge of KSU.The delegation also visited the College of Engineering Technology, College of Computer and Software and discussed the curriculum mapping, teachers' visits. The visit of a professional teacher from CJLU to KSU was also explored.
In Canada, the delegation visited the University of Toronto and investigated the facility, learning conditions, environments, libraries and the medical school where Bethune graduated. Both parties exchanged the views on 2015 summer program implemented at University of Toronto and and reached a consensus.
Through the visit, CJLU has established inter-school cooperation relations with WIU, further expanded the cooperation with KSU, enhanced the contact with University of Toronto. The trip has laid a solid foundation with the north American universities in personnel training, exchanges between teachers and students.
