China Center News

Fall 2002

President Yudof's Trip to China

President Mark Yudof made an address at the "Chinese- Foreign University Presidents Forum," July 22-31 in Beijing. Eighty-one Chinese national university presidents and fifteen foreign university presidents attended the forum. President Yudof gave a keynote speech titled "Universities and Economic Development," which emphasized how a university can use its ties to alumni and the broader community to advance its own initiatives. Key points included

  1. university research leading to economically useful innovations,
  2. university instruction leading to increased human capital,
  3. the study of public affairs and socially useful innovations, and
  4. the importance of legal education and the law in economic growth.

President Yudof with Madam Chen Zhili, Minister of Educatioin, President Xu Zhihang, Peking U, and President Chia-Wei Woo, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology

At an informal gathering at the forum, President Yudof met with all of the U of M sister university presidents. He also met personally with Dr. Zhou Ji, the Executive Vice Minister of Education and Dr. Wei Yu, a former Vice Minister of Education and a U of M alumnus. President Yudof and presidents/chancellors of Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, University of Tokyo, Tsinghua University, Peking University, and Hong Kong University of Science & Technology were invited to Zhong-Nan-Hai, the central government compound, to meet with Vice Premier Li Nanqin and other Chinese government leaders. Dr. Hong Yang and Ms. Joyce Wascoe, Associate to President Yudof, traveled to Beijing with President Yudof.

Institute of Technology Offers First Global Seminar in China

Thanks to the expertise and assistance of Dr. Hong Yang, the China Center staff, and our host, Prof. H.S. Yu from Tsinghua University, 22 Institute of Technology students attended a Global Seminar at Tsinghua University in Beijing in May 2002. The student group was led by Professors Baoquan Chen and Jaideep Srivistava from Computer Science and coordinated by Susan Kubitschek, IT Student Affairs. Students earned three semester credits during their three-week seminar. The curriculum emphasized "Globalization of the Software Industry, Computer Graphics, and Databases." Excursions included company tours of Tong Fan/Zi Guang, Founder Research, Microsoft Research Asia, and Medtronic. Cultural experiences included visits to the Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Beijing University, Wangfujing Street, and a three-day trip to Shanghai. A few of the student's comments include:

"My experience in China was rewarding not only academically, but culturally as well. The sights, people, and food were all fantastic. I'd recommend this program to any student!"
— Mandy Jepson

"I never thought China would be so beautiful. Its landscape, culture, and people are truly amazing."
— Jaime Nivala

"Spending four hours climbing Mt. Hua Shan by foot and seeing China from the peak of a mountain is the most exhilarating experience of my life."
— Kyle Crum

— by Susan Kubitschek, IT Student Affairs

Mingda Training Program Updates

Beijing: On Monday, July 29, the China Center hosted a Graduation Ceremony and Banquet in honor of the Beijing Public Administration and Business Management Delegation. About 100 guests, including University faculty and staff, local government representatives, various company executives, English language partners, and homestay hosts attended the ceremony and reception. Executive Vice President and Provost Christine Maziar was one of the guest speakers and also presented the "Certificates of Completion" to the graduates, along with John Brandl, then dean of the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs; Gene Allen, executive director of the Office of International Programs, and Hong Yang.

Hong Yang, Beijing Graduate Gao Jian and Christine Maziar

The 17 Beijing Municipality officials had been at the University of Minnesota since early April. Since their arrival, the delegation members have taken professional courses in Public Administration and Business Management from a variety of University faculty, including Christine Maziar, John Brandl, Gene Allen, Regents Professor Edward Schuh, Chair Professor at the Law School Fred Morrison, and others. In addition, the delegation also made professional visits to local companies and government agencies. Through these courses and visits the delegation has gained a clear understanding of how public administration and business management is implemented in the U.S.

Beijing Training Program Graduation Ceremony

After the ceremony, the delegation visited various departments of the Federal Government and International Organizations in the Washington, DC and New York areas for a week before returning to Beijing on August 10.

Jiangsu: A delegation of 20 lawyers from Jiangsu Province particpated in a variety of lectures from June 25 to June 28. The lectures were delivered by U of M Law School professors, lawyers from various private firms, as well as legal representatives from local goverment offices, enterprises, and organizations.

Shaanxi: The Shaanxi Higher Education Policy and Administration Training Program Delegation left the University of Minnesota on July 18 after two weeks of intensive leadership training. The delegation consisted of 19 university/college presidents and party secretaries from Shaanxi Province.

Shaanxi Training Program Tainees in Class

Lectures include the topics of university central and non-central administration, research, outreach and extension, technology transfer, human resources, student affairs, financial management, fundraising, university relations, and others. Dr. Kathryn Brown, Interim Vice President for Administration and Chief of Staff in the Office of the President; Dr. Victor Bloomfield, Interim Dean of the Graduate School and Vice Provost for Research; Dr. Steve Yussen, Dean of the College of Education and Human Development, and other University faculty and admnistrators gave lectures to this group.

During their stay in the Twin Cities, they also visited various local government agencies and business sectors. At their graduation ceremony, Dr. Victor Bloomfield, Interim Dean of the Graduate School and Vice Provost for Reasearch, along with Dr. Gene Allen and Dr. Hong Yang, presented the "Certificates of Completion" to each of the participants.

Chongqing: From July 31 to August 2, a delegation of 16 Human Resource Directors from a variety of county districts in Chongqing participated in the Advanced Human Resource Development and Personnel Management Training Program. They attended lectures presented by U of M professors as well as staff from Hennepin County.

Recent Visitors
May – August 2002

Mr. Thomas Wu and Ms. Shelly Fan from the Chinese University of Hong Kong visited the China Center on May 24. During their visit they discussed possible future exchange and internship possibilities with the U of M.

On June 20-21 a delegation from Shandong Province visited the U of M, including two from Shandong University (Vice President Wei Yin and Mr. Jianhui Xia from the International Office) as well as two from Shandong Institute of Education (Vice President Zhaozhi Guo and Associate Professor Huiguo Song).

On July 10, Mr. Arnold Chang, former president of the Taiwan chapter of the U of M Alumni Association, re-visited Minnesota to attend a lunch with various community leaders as well as U of M representatives.

Mr. Frank Neville, First Secretary and Spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, visited on July 24 and gave a presentation titled, "Chinese Public Perceptions of the U.S."

Mr. Keli Liu, chairman of the University Council at Hunan University; Mr. Guanzhong Yang, executive dean of Hunan University's Software College, and Mr. Clark Zuo, director of Hunan University's Division of International Programs visited the China Center on August 5 to discuss future training program cooperation.

A delegation of five members from Tianjin visited the U of M on August 7 to hold a "Tianjin Job Fair," which was co-sponsored by the China Center. The members included Mr. Hua-shang Jiang, director of the Personnel Office at Nankai University; Dr. Zhengping Gao, vice president of Tianjin University of Finance and Economics; Mr. Yaogang Wang, HR director at Tianjin Medical University; Dr. Jianbiao Ma, deputy director of Tianjin Municipal Educational Commission, and Mr. Wei Liu, HR director at Tianjin Industrial.

Mr. Sencheng Cheng, vice president of Wuhan University of Technology, visited the China Center on August 7.

Governor Ventura Visits the China Center and China

Ventura and U of M Students

Governor Jesse Ventura visited the China Center on June 5 to exchange ideas with students and staff regarding Chinese history, culture, and language prior to his trade mission to China from June 7 to 15. Among those who attended the meeting were China Center staff, visiting Chinese municipal officials, Chinese students at the U of M, and American students who have visited or studied in China. During this time, the China Center provided Ventura with a tape of useful phrases in Chinese and English to assist with the language barrier.

The conversations were relaxed and delightful, covering a wide range of topics from Ventura's first impression of China to Chinese beer. When asked about his role in the trade mission, Ventura said that as governor he is only responsible for opening the door to American business people and establishing initial contact with Chinese counterparts. Visiting China in person, therefore, would prove more meaningful than merely corresponding across the ocean.

Ventura at the Great Wall

Dr. Hong Yang traveled as a VIP delegate during the trade mission. Dr. Yang relates a quote from Ventura stating, "Opportunity isn't just knocking here in China. It's pounding. It's practically beating down the door. We'd be fools not to answer." Ventura also stated, "Minnesota recognizes China as the number one marketing opportunity of the 21st century, but we also recognize and cherish a mutual foundation of friendship and cooperation that dates back more than a century. Together, we can build on that foundation and develop new relationships that benefit us both." With the help of the China Center and students from the U of M, the Governor's trade mission to China was a great success.

Leadership Transitions at the U of M

On May 31, 2002, University of Minnesota President Mark Yudof announced he would accept the job of chancellor of the University of Texas system. He stated his intention hours after being named the sole finalist for the position by the University of Texas board of regents. "Minnesota will always hold a special place for me," said Yudof. "I've had the opportunity to lead an outstanding university, work with incredible faculty members and staff and bright, engaging students, and meet lifelong friends."

On a unanimous vote on June 7, 2002, the University of Minnesota board of regents named Executive Vice President and Provost Robert Bruininks as interim president of the university. Bruininks' appointment is effective August 1, 2002, and he is expected to serve at least six months until a permanent president is named.

The University of Minnesota on June 26, 2002, named Christine Maziar executive vice president and provost, effective July 15. The position is second only to the president and is responsible for implementing the academic programs and priorities of the university. Maziar, 43, has been the dean of the Graduate School and vice president for research at the university since 1998. In 2000, she traveled to Xian, Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong with President Yudof. Maziar has plans to visit China again this fall to help strengthen U of M connections with Chinese institutions as well as visit with U of M alumni who have already returned to China.

China Center Staff News

Jennifer Xiaoyan Wu is one of the China Center's new administrative fellows. She is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Educational Policy and Administration, College of Education and Human Development. She taught English before coming to the U.S. She has also worked with international experts on educational programs sponsored by the Asian Development Bank and Ford Foundation in China.

Jennifer enjoys doing volunteer work and often speaks about Chinese culture in Minnesota classrooms. She plays tennis, squash, racquetball, and badminton. She is excited about the opportunity to work at the China Center.

Xiaoli Nan is the second new administrative felllow. Xiaoli is currently a graduate student at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication (SJMC). Before joining the China Center, she worked as a teaching assistant/research assistant at SJMC for two years. She has also worked as a freelance consultant for a local marketing consulting firm. Before coming to the U.S., she had several internships with leading advertising agencies in China. Xiaoli holds a B.A. in advertising from Beijing University.

As a Chinese scholar in the U.S., Xiaoli is extremely interested in promoting intercultural communication and looks forward to contributing to these efforts utilizing her educational and professional background in communication. She cherishes the opportunity to work at the China Center and believes that the experience is also beneficial for personal enhancement. Xiaoli enjoys traveling, movies, and photography.

Dr. Hong Yang, director of the China Center, has recently been chosen for two different extra-curricular opportunities. He was selected as one of the six fellows for the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) Academic Leadership Program 2002-03. The CIC is an academic consortium of the Big Ten Universities and the University of Chicago. The CIC Academic Leadership Program is oriented to the challenges of academic administration at major research universities and is designed specifically to help the fellows meet these challenges. Dr. Yang will participate in three seminars throughout the 2002-03 school year.

The Minnesota International Center (MIC) also invited Dr. Yang to join their board of directors for a two-year term (2002-04). MIC increases and strengthens international exchange and understanding between Minnesotans and the world and helps increase the state's visibility in the world's market place. Beginning in September 2002, MIC will celebrate the Year of China, with a series of thematic programs highlighting the political, economic, cultural, and social aspects of China.