Syracuse University partners with two universities in China

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse University Chancellor Kent Syverud has recently signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen its partnership with a pair of universities in China.

Syverud and members of Syracuse’s leadership team in May traveled to China as part of the university’s efforts to build “strong” partnerships with China’s top universities in the areas of faculty and graduate collaboration and research, Syracuse said in a news release.

Those efforts are aimed at attracting top students and “enhancing” Syracuse University’s profile in China as part of the internationalization efforts identified in Syracuse’s academic strategic plan, the school said.

Besides Syverud, the delegation included John Liu, Syracuse’s VP for research, and Kyu Lee, associate dean for global initiatives in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management.

Signings, keynote speech

Syverud first signed a memorandum of understanding with Xiamen University (XMU) in Xiamen, Fujian Province of China.

The document calls for “greater levels of collaboration and cooperation between the two universities to strengthen initiatives in joint training and exchanges of students, faculty visits, and scientific research cooperation,” Syracuse said.

XMU and Syracuse University says they have already formed a “good foundation of cooperation” in different subject areas, including the humanities, economics, ocean science, chemistry and chemical engineering. The memorandum is intended to open up new areas and “deepen” existing areas of cooperation between the two universities.

Syverud signed a similar cooperation agreement at Hunan Normal University (HNU) in Changsha, Hunan Province with HNU President Hongxin Jiang.

The leaders had discussions on projects such as Sino-foreign dual-degree programs, joint training and teacher-student exchanges, and explored possibilities for further cooperation.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com