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WIU Welcomes Visiting Scholars from Shanghai Donghai Vocational Technical College

August 20, 2014

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MACOMB, IL – "Huānyíng."

Translation: "Welcome." Five visiting scholars from Shanghai Donghai Vocational Technical College in China are joining the ranks of faculty in the colleges of Fine Arts and Communication and Business and Technology at Western Illinois University for Fall 2014 as part of a partnership between the two schools. Yuan Xuefei, Wang Hui, Wu Xieling, Hou Dan and Zhang Yunyun arrived in Macomb Aug. 17, and will conduct research, visit courses and observe faculty beginning Aug. 25. In addition to the five visiting faculty, eight other administrators and faculty from Shanghai Donghai are also in Macomb this week to tour the school for possible future programs, according to Rick Carter, executive director of the School of Distance Learning, International Studies and Outreach.

Western's partnership with Shanghai Donghai Vocational Technical College began in 2013 following Carter's participation in the 2013 State of Illinois educational trade mission to the country. Shanghai Donghai Vocational Technical College President Xiang Jiaxiang visited WIU to learn more about the school. During the Spring 2014 semester, the first delegation of 25 students from Shanghai attended Western's English as a Second Language (WESL) program, while three teachers called Western's Macomb campus home for five weeks as they undertook intensive ESL training. During the 2012-13 academic year, Nolan Zuo, a professor at the college, served as a visiting scholar at Western.

"It is a privilege to have a partnership in place, and lasting friendships, with the faculty and leaders of Shanghai Donghai Vocational Technical College," noted WIU President Jack Thomas. "Building long-term relationships with educational institutions abroad is essential to our internationalization efforts at Western Illinois University."

Carter also traveled to China in March 2014 as part of the state's 15-day higher education trade mission.

"It is always a pleasure to visit with our friends at Shanghai. We are honored that Dr. Jiaxiang and the visiting scholars think so highly of Western Illinois University and continue to work with our institution on continuing education initiatives," Carter added.

In addition to the recent Shanghai Donghai Vocational Technical College exchange, leaders from

Beijing Prepare Education Consulting Co., representing Beijing WUZI University, were recently at the Macomb campus to discuss a 2+2 agreement with Western's Supply Chain Management degree, Carter added, as well as to recruit students from WUZI to attend WIU. Five Western Illinois University students are studying abroad at various Chinese universities this fall.

For more information on Western's Center for International Studies, including WESL and study abroad programs, visit wiu.edu/CIS.



Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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