2008 News
August
- Zhang and Brzezinski Present Topics at the Curiosity Camp
(pic) (pic) (pic) (pic)
One of this summer’s Curiosity Camps, Destination:China, was held at the University International Center’s (UIC) assembly room on August 13. This event is a part of the College of Continuing Education’s Curiosity Camps series and is co-sponsored by the University’s Confucius Institute. China Center director Yongwei Zhang and Confucius Institute acting director Joan Brzezinski each gave a talk to an audience of approximately 20 camp participants. Details of the Curiosity Camp are available through the following web link.
http://www.cce.umn.edu/curiosity/index.html - Graduation Ceremony for the Higher Education Management and Academic Teaching Training Group from China University of Mining and Technology(CUMT) (pic)
A graduation ceremony for the CUMT training group was held on August 5 at the University international center. On behalf of the associate vice president Meredith McQuaid, Mark Schneider, acting associate director of OIP, handed out completion certificates to all 33 lectures and professors who took part in the month long training program. Dr. Yongwei Zhang gave a farewell speech. He encouraged each member of the group to stay connected with the University of Minnesota and keep us informed of their progress in teaching and research.
- Summer Camp for College Students from Sichuan (pic)(pic)
A group of nine Chinese college students arrived on August 4 for a week-long stay at the University of Minnesota. The China Center has made arrangements for them to see the campus and attend lectures on subjects related to college study and university life in the United States. These young people are from several universities in Sichuan province and they are very excited to have this opportunity.
- First Group Students Recruited by China Center Arrive on Campus (pic)
The signs of success for the China Center’s undergraduate recruitment efforts are appearing on campus! Sixteen students who graduated from Northeast Normal University High School in Changchun, Jilin Province have arrived on campus to settle-in before the upcoming semester. They will be in the freshmen class beginning this fall. They will be followed by a dozen of students from two other Chinese high schools: Wenzhou School and Hunan Normal University High School.
- Building Collaborative Relationships with U of M Coordinate Campuses to Help Facilitate their China Initiatives (pic) (pic)
China Center staff Yongwei Zhang, Jennifer Wu, and Yuedong Zhou visited University of Minnesota coordinate campuses in Morris and Duluth to meet with administrators, staff, and faculty to discuss prospects for cooperation. In Morris, they met with chancellor Jackie Johnson and the associate vice chancellor for admissions, James Morales. Johnson showed great interest in the discussed proposal for Morris to deliver general education courses in China. More discussions regarding details of this proposal will take place over the next few months. In addition, the China Center will provide funding for one Morris admissions officer on the upcoming China Center recruitment trip to China. In Duluth, China Center staff met with the vice chancellor for Academic Administration, Vincent Magnuson, and dean of the Labovitz School of Business and Economics, Kjell Knudsen. Various possibilities for collaborating with Chinese universities and promoting academic exchanges and cooperation were discussed. The China Center mission is system-wide, so interaction with the coordinating campuses will be ongoing with the goal of promoting their connections with China.
July
- Dragon Festival (pic)(pic)(pic)
The China Center again participated in the Dragon Festival—a celebration of the diverse Asian-Pacific cultures in the Twin Cities. Some members of the China University of Mining and Technology (see below) participated as members of the boat team while others enjoyed cheering them on and experiencing the rest of the festival. The China Center's team name was "The Fighting Pandas" and a panda mascot was on hand to give balloons and fans to festival goers and to lead the boat as the team drummer.
- Higher Education Management and Academic Teaching Training Group from China University of Mining and Technology (pic)(pic)
A month long training for 33 young lecturers and professors from the China University of Mining and Technology started on July 9. They came to the University of Minnesota to learn about U.S. higher education, improve their English proficiency, obtain advanced knowledge on pedagogy, and expand their academic research areas—most of which are in electronic engineering, civil engineering, computer science, geography and geology, and public transportation.
- Zhang Meets with Deputy Commissioner of Jilin Provincial Bureau of Education (pic)
Yongwei Zhang, China Center director, visited his hometown in Jilin Province in early July. While there, he met with the deputy commissioner of the Provincial Bureau of Education. The two of them discussed training possibilities for the elementary and secondary school teachers as well as school administrators in the province. Staff from the Mingda Institute for Leadership Training are planning a trip to follow up on this meeting and work with the provincial bureau to develop specific plans for the training. Jilin Province is located in the Northeastern part of China, and there are more than 310,000 teachers working in elementary and secondary schools, according to the information provided by the bureau.
- Zhang Explores Partnership with Chinese National Academy of Education Administration (pic)(pic)
China Center director Yongwei Zhang visited with officials from the National Academy of Education Administration (NAEA) in Beijing. He met with the vice president of International Affairs as well as staff and faculty. NAEA has great interest in building a collaborative partnership with the Mingda Institute of Leadership Training and hopes to develop joint programs for university administrators in China. The NAEA is directly affiliated to the Ministry of Education and has a unique role in providing training programs for educational administrators throughout China.
June
- Zhang Meets with the Communication University of China (pic)(pic)
China Center director Yongwei Zhang visited the Communication University of China (CUC) located in Beijing. CUC is a highly regarded in the areas of journalism, media, and communication, and is considered the best of its kind in China. The chair of the board of the university and two other vice presidents—including the vice president of academic affairs—warmly received Zhang and discussed their strong interest in collaborating with the University of Minnesota. The China Center will help facilitate this collaboration and expects that a strong relationship will develop.
- Capital Normal University Higher Education Delegation
Seventeen department heads, deans, and administrators from Capital Normal University received a one-week training on the U.S. higher education system June 20-27. They attended lectures focusing on how contemporary universities and colleges handle administrative decision making, faculty and staff, university services management, and international admission policy.
- China Center facilitates collaboration between the law schools of Renmin University of China and University of Minnesota (pic)
University of Minnesota Law School dean Fred Morrison and China Center director Yongwei Zhang visited the Renmin University of China on June 20. They had a productive meeting with the administrators and faculty at the Law School: dean Wang Liming, executive associate dean Han Dayuan, assistant to the dean Shi Jiayou, and three other faculty and staff members. The group discussed a U of M Law School proposal of holding a summer J.D. program at Renmin University. A preliminary consensus was reached and an agreement between the two law schools will signed in the near future. Zhang and Morrison also met with Ms. Cheng Xin and Ms. Zhang Damiao of the Department of International Exchanges at Renmin University.
May
- Public Health EMBA Training Group
A Public Health Executive MBA Delegation comprised of 25 Chinese hospital administrators and public officials visited the University of Minnesota on May 29 and 30. The China Center and the School of Public Health collaborated on hosting this group, who visited Mayo Clinic Rochester, the Department of Public Health, and Medtronic World headquarters.
- China Center Staff Featured on Local News
Joan Brzezinski and Dr. Jennifer Wu appeared in a KARE 11 News story about etiquette in China and what U.S. athletes can expect when they travel to Beijing for the Olympic Games this August.
- China Center Co-Sponsors Business Lectures
The China Center co-sponsored two business lectures at the end of May . The first was with the Chinese American Business Association of Minnesota: “Doing Business in China, My Biased Observations” by Dr. Lynn Lin. It was held a the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management on May 22.
The second lecture was on May 29 at Luris Besikof Lapidus & Company, LLP. It was organized by the China Business Colloquium and was titled “Doing Business with China, An Updated Discussion with Experts from the Front Line.” The featured speaker at this event was former China Center director and current vice president of Asian operations of Griffin International Companies, Hong Yang. Other speakers included Jeff Jiang, Sarah Shi, Kip Knippel, and Richard Ellis.
- Zhang Attends UMAA Event in Washington D.C. (pic, courtesy UMAA) (pic)
China Center director, Dr. Yongwei Zhang, attended a University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA) event held at the Chinese Embassy in Washington D.C. on May 6. UMAA members had the rare opportunity to visit the Embassy and meet with Ambassador Zhou as well as reconnect with other University graduates. Dr. Zhang was given the opportunity to speak a few words about the China Center and it's mission before mingling with the attendees.
- Two EMBA Training Groups from Guangdong Province
Continuing the long-term relationship between the University of Minnesota China Center and China Sun Yat-Sen University, two Executive MBA delegations (comprised of over 60 Chinese CEOs, presidents, and senior managers) attended training programs prepared by the Mingda Institute for Leadership Training in April and May.
Both groups were impressed with the lectures presented by University faculty members and business experts on various topics including human resources management, effective corporate communication, and international marketing. Visits to local businesses such as Thomson Reuters, Lurie Besikof Lapidus, 3M Innovation Center, Seagate, and Best Buy were also a highlight. It allowed the delegates first-hand experience to further understand the U.S. market economy and start relationships for future cooperation with American business partners.
- First U.S.-China Principals Summit Held at University of Minnesota
The China Center co-organized the first gathering of principals from the U.S. and China to discuss similarities and differences between the two countries' educational systems and how they can collaborate in the future. This U.S.-China Principals Summit was unique from other gatherings of educators from the two countries because featured speakers focused on current research in the field of education rather than just current practices and language instruction. After two days of exceptional speakers and dialog, Minnesota schools hosted the Chinese principals at their schools in the greater metro area.
This groundbreaking summit was covered in the local news by KARE 11 TV, MinnPost, and China Insight.
April
- China Day Draws Record Attendance (pic)
On April 18th, the China Center successfully hosted the 7th annual China Day at the Northrop Auditorium. More than 850 Chinese language students from nine high schools in the Twin Cities attended the event. The theme for this year’s China Day was the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Meredith McQuaid, vice president and dean of the International Programs at the University of Minnesota, and Dr. Yongwei Zhang, director of China Center, started the event with welcome remarks and brief speeches. Chris Isett and Doug Hartman, professors of History and Sociology at the University of Minnesota, presented the keynote speech on Beijing Olympics and answered students’ questions. Forty students representing each of the schools participated in a bilingual Jeopardy-style game with questions on the Beijing Olympics. Professor Joe Allen, dean of the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures, gave a short talk. A Chinese box lunch was served and prizes were drawn. Nearly a hundred students received Beijing Olympics t-shirts and other prizes. Finally, student speakers from each school introduced their Chinese programs and received Olympics gifts from China Center. The goal of the annual China Day event is to encourage Chinese language learning and promote interest in Chinese culture among high schools students in the Twin Cities.
China Day was covered by the Minnesota Daily newspaper and featured on the front page.
March
- China Center Director a Speaker for the College of Continuing Education's "Headliners" Lecture Series
Dr. Yongwei Zhang presented a lecture, The China Connection, for the acclaimed lecture series "Headliners". He spoke about the changing Chinese economy and the related global consequences. More information can be found on the Headliners Web site.
February
- Students from the High School Affiliated with Renmin University hosted by China Center (pic)
The China Center hosted ten students from the High School Affiliated with Renmin University for lunch February 15. These students—all active members of the Little Writers Association—came to Minnesota on an exchange program with Breck School. Dr. Yongwei Zhang spoke to the students about the University of Minnesota and then gave them each a U of M t-shirt. Later that day, Joan Brzezinski and Jennifer Wu Dunn took the students to Coffman Union for lunch so they could experience first-hand the typical experience of a college student’s lunch hour. The China Center thanks Mr. David Cheng, owner of the China Tribune, for making this connection! (Photo courtesy of Dr. Hua Sun.)
- China Center Staff Visit Chicago Consulate General and Confucius Institute (pic1)(pic2)
- China Center Celebrates the Year of the Rat with Community
(pic)
The China Center’s annual Chinese New Year’s event was held on February 5. More than 200 people from the community—including business people, members of academia, and other friends of the China Center—celebrated the arrival of the Year of the Rat.
The evening started with a program of Chinese music and dance. Attendees were treated to a vocal performances from Dr. Wang Lixin and Ms. Qian Xu, three dances performed by the Chinese American Association of Minnesota, Dr. Yongwei Zhang playing the erhu and dizi, and the feature performance by world renowned pipa artist Gao Hong.
Following the musical program, Dr. Zhang presented plaques to the China Center’s Corporate Partners in recognition for their generous support. Outgoing China Center Advisory Council members were also recognized.
The evening ended with dinner served in the Humphrey Center Atrium, which had been festively decorated in red and gold with lanterns, candies, couplets, and other decorations.
China Center staff traveled to Chicago February 13 and 14. Highlights of the trip included a meeting at the Chinese Consulate with Consul General Ping Huang and a meeting at the Chicago Confucius Institute with director Robert Jones—who had recently accepted an award for being one of the 20 Confucius Institutes of the Year 2007. These meetings focused on how each group could collaborate with the China Center in the future.
January
- University of Minnesota Law School Dean Fred Morrison visits People's University and Capital Normal University in Beijing (pic1)(pic2)(pic3)
China Center director Yongwei Zhang and the U of M Law School Dean Fred Morrison visited the People’s University and the Capital Normal University in Beijing during their recent trip to China on January 14-16. They received a warm welcome from the officials of both institutions. Yuedong Zhou from the China Center and Stacey Mitchell from the Law School China program accompanied them during the entire visit and participated in all the meetings and other activities.
Capital Normal is the cooperative partner with the U in their joint project of the Confucius Institute. The Beijing Higher Education faculty Training Center, located on the campus of the Capital Normal, is also a partner of ours with the China Center’s leadership training program. The meetings with the officials from the Center, the International Exchanges Office and the Law School were cordial and productive.
The People’s University is a top ranked institution and its law school is highly regarded in China. Prof. Morrison was pleased with his meeting with the law school officials there and they have agreed to continue to have conversations about the collaborative efforts and joint programs between the two law schools in the future. The Vice President of the People’s University, Prof. Chen Yulu, met with group from the University of Minnesota.
2007 News
November
- University of Minnesota IT Dean Dr. Steven Crouch visited the Dalian University of Technology (pic)
On Nov. 16 and 17, China Center director Dr. Yongwei Zhang and the IT Dean Dr. Steven Crouch visited Dalian University of Technology (DUT), a well-known Chinese engineering school located in Dalian, China. The purpose of this visit was to exchange ideas with DUT colleagues on research collaboration and to discuss with school officials there of possibilities of building academic degree programs. During their visit, Dr. Crouch and Dr. Zhang met with Prof. Ning, vice-president of DUT, and the deans of several engineering colleges. Dr. Crouch and Dr. Zhang also toured the university campus and visited a key national laboratory facility located at DUT. This lab has extensive involvement of international researchers, including a U of M professor, Dr. Cui Tianhong from IT. Dean Crouch’s successful visit resulted in the proposal of a research exchange grant for two DUT faculty members starting next year (i.e. 2008-09). The plan is for DUT professors to propose collaborative projects to U of M professors who, if interested will establish a connection and work to set up the collaborative research project. Seed money has been offered to support the travel expense of two Chinese professors to visit the University each year. It is hoped that DUT will be able to provide a similar level of support so that our faculty will have more opportunities to work together.
October
- Dr. Yongwei Zhang and Dean Meredith McQuaid Travel to China and Sign an Agreement with Dalian University of Technology (pic)
Dr. Yongwei Zhang, director of the China Center, and Associate Vice President and Dean for International Programs, Meredith McQuaid, traveled to China on October 19 to explore new exchanges and initiatives for the University. They visited Beijing, Dalian, and Changchun cities. In Dalian, they met with Vice President Dr. Ning Guiling at the Dalian University of Technology (DUT) to discuss possible collaboration and exchange. DUT is a top-ranked technology and engineering university in China. Dean McQuaid and Dr. Zhang then traveled to Changchun to visit Northeast Normal University, one of the top three normal universities in China. They met with President Shi Ningzhong and many administrators from several offices and departments. In both Dalian and Changchun, Dean McQuaid signed agreements to officiate the University’s interest in further exploring academic and research collaborations. Dean McQuaid noted “These are strong Chinese universities that have departments and programs that mirror many of the strengths of the University of Minnesota. Dr. Zhang has a clear vision for the University’s strategy in China and these new relationships will complement our existing partnerships and offer new and exciting opportunities for our faculty and students.”
- Jennifer Wu Travels to China with Dr. Mike Anderson and Ms. Bethany Maupin from the Minnesota English Language Program
Dr. Wu returned to China to visit the High School Affiliated with Northeast Normal University and the High School Affiliated with Hunan Normal University with Dr. Mike Anderson, director of the Minnesota English Language Program and his colleague, Ms. Bethany Maupin. Together they tested and interviewed more than 30 students and brought back 22 applications for the Fall semester of 2008. The applications are being reviewed by the admissions office with priority and qualified applicants will receive a letter of admissions when the process is complete.
- China Center Oversees University of Minnesota Recruiting Efforts
The China Center now oversees the recruitment efforts for Chinese students at the University of Minnesota and Jennifer Wu is leading this charge. While in China, she paid a visit to four highly ranked high schools in China to explore a selective recruitment of top students. She gave presentations on the University of Minnesota to over 600 interested high school students.
September
- Dr. Yongwei Zhang speaks at the Weisman Art Museum’s Documenting China Program
On Thursday, September 27 Dr. Yongwei Zhang gave a presentation at the Weisman Art Museum’s Documenting China Program Noontime Discussion Series. The topic was Change in China and its Impact on Higher Education. Dr. Zhang’s presentation highlighted the modern history of China’s education system as well as the current state of higher education in China. He talked about the successes and challenges experienced by China’s higher education system that can be attributed to the countries rapid growth and expansion. See the following link for information on upcoming speakers at the Weisman’s Documenting China Noontime Discussion Series: http://weisman.umn.edu/events/eventscal.php
- China Center Moon Festival Celebration and Welcome China Center Director
On September 25, about 100 guests attended the Moon Festival celebration hosted by the China Center to meet with the new director, Dr. Yongwei Zhang, and celebrate this important holiday of harvest. People enjoyed moon cakes, fall fruit, and hot tea. Dr. Zhang surprised everybody when he played erhu and flute, two traditional Chinese instruments, like a pro. It was great to meet new and old friends at this fun event.
- Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) Tribute to Ruth and Bruce Dayton (pic)
On Sunday, September 23, the local Chinese community organized an event at the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA) to pay tribute to Ruth and Bruce Dayton for their enormous contribution to the community. The Dayton’s Family has “dramatically transformed the Asian Galleries” through their generous gift to MIA, as indicated by Greg Hugh in his China Insight article. The China Center presented a gift to the Daytons at this gathering. It is a water-color painting of a traditional Chinese mansion by Ji Ye, a Chinese artist currently teaching at the Lake Superior College in Duluth.
- Dr. Zhang Keynote Speaker at the Building Partnerships with China Forum
Dr. Yongwei Zhang, Director of the China Center, was the keynote speaker at the Building Partnerships with China forum held on September 21. The forum was offered both live onsite at the Lake Superior College in Duluth, MN and online via Web EX participation. This forum focused on strategies and tools for success in building partnerships with institutions in China. The goal was to equip faculty and administrators who are interested in forming partnerships with institutions in China critical knowledge and strategies for successful development. This forum was one of the Four Part Series on Understanding China and was made possible through a grant provided by the Minnesota State Universities and Colleges Center
for Teaching and Learning. For more information on other forums in this Series, please contact Dr. Kathryn E. Johnson, PhD, Director of the China Initiatives at the St. Cloud State University at 320-308-3268.
- 2007 Bob and Kim Griffin Building U.S.-China Bridges Lecture
Jeffrey Bader of the Brookings Institution, gave the China Center Griffin lecture on Sept. 20 discussing China and the Middle East. Listen to the lecture online. China Insight article.
- Ambassador and VP Visit University
Ambassador Wang Yunxiang and current the vice president of Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs, spoke at the University of Minnesota on Sept. 14. His presentation "Peaceful Development and China – U.S. Relations" was sponsored by the University of Minnesota China Center. MORE
- Dr. Zhang Visits China Agriculture University in Beijing (pic)
Dr. Yongwei Zhang, Director of the China Center visited the China Agricultural University (CAU) in Beijing during his recent trip to China in September. Dr. Zhang met with Dr. Feng Weizhe, Associate Dean of the International College and had a productive meeting with him on the possible future collaboration between CAU and the U of M. The Dean of the International College Meng Fanxi and the Vice President of CAU, Fu Zetian met with Dr. Zhang as well. On the evening of September 14, Dr. Zhang was invited to attend the Ceremony hosted by the International College at CAU to celebrate the reopening of their joint degree program with the University of Colorado at Denver and the Health Science Center.
- Sichuan Ethnic Minority Officials Delegation
The Sichuan Ethnic Minority Officials delegation finished their training program "Public Affairs Administration and Sustainable Agricultural Development," at University September 7. Most of the 20 delegates are county commissioners from autonomous prefectures in the Sichuan Province. During the four-day training they attended lectures focused on public finance, rural development, religion and racial discrimination, and environmental issues. The delegation met with officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the City of Minneapolis, and Hennepin County.
August
- Zhejiang Economic & Trade Polytechnic
On August 15 to 18 a delegation from Zhejiang Economic & Trade Polytechnic visited the University to participate in the Higher Education Policy & Administration Training Program. Several University professors and professionals in human resources management, admission policy, and international exchanges presented lectures.
- Professor Bingxin Zhang Receives Award
The departments of Plant Pathology and Agronomy and Plant Genetics, together with the university's China Center recently awarded Professor Bingxin Zhang of Zhejiang University a certificate of recognition. The award was made in honor of her collaboration in cereal disease research and fostering stronger relationships between China and the United States. Although she is retired, Professor Zhang continues to collaborate with University of Minnesota scientists.
- Guests From China, Sponsored by the International Visitor Leadership Program, U.S. Department of State (pic)
On August 10, the China Center received two special guests from China, who were here with the United States State International Visitor Leadership Program, a U.S. Department of State sponsored program. They are Mr. Min Liu, Vice Dean, School of Law, Nanjing Normal and Mr. Jiansheng Zhang, Professor of Law, School of Law, Zhejiang University. Ms. Noelle Xie, from the United Nations New York office accompanied the Chinese guests. China Center Director Yongwei Zhang, Assistant Director Joan Brzezinski met with Mr. Liu and Mr. Zhang and talked about possible collaboration with the University of Minnesota and their organizations. Both guests were extremely impressed with the University of Minnesota.
- Deputy Director Zhang Lixin, Department of Human Resources, Municipal Government, Harbin (pic)
On August 14, a delegation led by Deputy Director Zhang Lixin from the Department of Human Resources, Municipal Government of Harbin visited the China Center. During the visit, the China Center staff took the group on a tour of campus as well as a trip through St. Paul and Minneapolis. The purpose of the delegation’s visit to the University of Minnesota was to explore the opportunities for sending professionals and government administrators from Harbin to the U of M for training. China Center Director Dr. Yongwei Zhang, Assistant Director Joan Brzezinski, and Training Program Coordinator Yuedong Zhou had very productive meetings with the group.
- Peng Xianfa, Mayor, Xiangtan, Hunan Province
On August 1, Mr. Peng Xianfa, Mayor of the city of Xiangtan, Hunan Province, led a delegation on a visit to the University of Minnesota. The delegation was warmly welcomed by the Associate Vice President and Dean of the Office of International Programs, Meredith McQuaid, China Center Director, Dr. Yongwei Zhang, and China Center Assistant Director, Joan Brzezinski. Dean McQuaid gave the group an introduction to the University of Minnesota’s relationship with China and explained how the China Center has facilitated in promoting this relationship. Mayor Peng’s delegation was in town to attend a business seminar on investing in main land China, sponsored by Lurie Besikof Lapidus & Company, LLP and the Group.
July - Mr. Zou Li, PRC Bureau of Foreign Experts Affairs (pic)
Mr. Zou Li, Representative in New York for the People’s Republic of China Bureau of Foreign Expert Affairs (BFEA), visited the China Center and the Mingda Institute for Leadership Training on July 23 to 25. The purpose of his visit was to explore further cooperation opportunities between BFEA and the University of Minnesota. Representative General Zou was very pleased with the development of the China Center’s leadership training program and spoke highly of the University’s effort to provide meaningful curriculum and high quality training for Chinese officials from government offices and universities. The U of M Assistant Vice President and Dean of the Office of International Programs Meredith McQuaid, China Center Director Dr. Yongwei Zhang, Assistant Director Joan Brzezinski, and Training Program Coordinator Yuedong Zhou met with Mr. Zou and had fruitful discussions.
- Weimin Lu, Best Buy
On July 17, Best Buy’s Senior Vice President, Chairman, and General Manager, China, Weimin Lu visited the China Center to meet and welcome the new director Dr. Yongwei Zhang. Best Buy has been a long-time donor and corporate partner of the China Center. Lu also used this visit to discuss a proposal for a business administration training program for Best Buy China. This program, if accepted, would be run through the China Center’s Mingda Institute for Leadership Training. The program would bring mid-level Best Buy managers and administrators as well as professional staff from Best Buy China to the University of Minnesota where they will benefit from the University’s expertise as well as its extended network of affiliations with business and government organizations.
- President Wendong Zhang, North China University
The president of North China University, Wendong Zhang, visited the University of Minnesota on July 16. The University is located in Taiyuan, the capital city of Shanxi Province and has more than 30,000 students. Accompanied by the Nelson Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Dr. Tianhong Cui, President Zhang met with Dr. Yongwei Zhang, director of the China Center, and talked about training opportunities for administrators of North China University. President Zhang also expressed interested in developing joint academic programs between the two universities.
- Dragon Festival Boat Races (pic)
On July 14 – 15, the China Center hosted a boat to compete in the 2007 Dragon Festival Boat Races, an annual event held every summer at Lake Phalen Park on the East Side of St. Paul. The China Center’s 20-person boat team was made up of U of M students, training delegation members from the Chinese University of Mining Technology, China Center staff, and friends of the China Center. The boat races are one of the most exciting parts of the Dragon Festival, an event filled with Asian dances, cultural performances, martial art demonstrations, authentic ethnic foods, and arts and crafts. The two days of beautiful weather and fun activities were enjoyed by everyone involved. The China Center is especially thankful to the many people who worked hard to make the festival an overwhelming success.
(MN DAILY ARTICLE ON THE DRAGON BOAT RACE)
- China University of Mining Technology (pic)
On July 10, the China Center’s Mingda Institute for Leadership Training welcomed the third annual training group from China University of Mining Technology. The group of 37 professors will stay at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus for four weeks. Their training will include classes focusing on English language, higher education management, and American culture. While in Minnesota the group will have many opportunities to take part in community events as well as meet with American families and U of M students. After the four-week stay at the University, the group will travel to Washington D.C., New York, and Los Angeles.
- Wang Ji, IMD Consulting
On July 9, Wang Ji, president of Beijing-based IMD Consulting, visited the University of Minnesota China Center. He made a special trip to Minnesota to meet new China Center Director Dr. Yongwei Zhang and to discuss the continued cooperation between the China Center and his company IMD. IMD has an agreement with the University of Minnesota to help coordinate training delegations from China to the U.S. IMD also helps with logistics for U of M groups visiting Beijing. Wang Ji's visit provided a chance for China Center staff to clarify the working relationship between IMD and the U of M as well as plan future collaboration.
- Chinese State Food and Drug Administration (pic)
On July 9, a delegation from the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA), led by Deputy Commissioner Shuhui Qu, visited the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus. The purpose of the visit was to discuss plans for an upcoming training group, which will consist of SFDA regional directors from China’s western provinces. This will be the first time that the China Center’s Mingda Institute for Leadership Training will host this type of group. China Center Director Dr. Yongwei Zhang, Assistant Director Joan Brzezinski, and Training Coordinator Yuedong Zhou met with the delegation and were extremely pleased with the outcome of the meeting and look forward to welcoming a delegation from SFDA to the University of Minnesota.
