On June 27-28, a delegation of 7 faculty and students from the Woodbury School of Business at the University of Utah Valley State, including Dean Bob Allen, Director of the Finance Department Bi Qianwen, Director of the Graduate School of Engineering and Technology Tang Jingpeng, and student Whitman Tolk, visited our college for an exchange. The President Chen Dequan and Vice President Jiang Lijun met with the visiting guests, and heads and faculty representatives from various departments like the College of Digital Trade, the College of Intelligent Finance and Economics, the College of Business Intelligence, and the College of International Education participated in the Sino-US student and faculty exchange activities.
President Chen Dequan welcomed the delegation from Bob Allen and introduced the overall academic situation of our college and the current status of international education efforts. He emphasized the longstanding cooperation between our college and American institutions, particularly in collaborative programs, faculty exchanges, and student research, which have collectively produced a cadre of talents with international perspectives and expertise in various fields, yielding excellent teaching outcomes. He hoped that this visit would serve as a catalyst for further expanding collaborative projects, enhancing cultural exchanges between faculty and students, and jointly building a brighter future for both institutions.
During the discussions, Vice President Jiang Lijun elaborated on the academic achievements of Sino-US cooperation at our college. She highlighted our institution as among the first in the province to implement joint educational programs with foreign partners, notably collaborating with the University of Minnesota and North Dakota State University to establish several joint programs. The Software Technology (Sino-US Cooperative Education) program was selected as a demonstrative Sino-foreign cooperative education project in Zhejiang province, reflecting significant educational accomplishments. The partnership with the University of Utah Valley State began in 2019, aiming to strengthen cooperation in disciplinary development, student and faculty exchanges, and educational and research innovation, contributing jointly to enhancing talent cultivation and fostering stable Sino-US relations.
Bob Allen expressed gratitude for the warm reception at our college, highlighting the shared commitment to the students' future-oriented educational philosophy, which forms a solid foundation for the close cooperation between the two institutions. He described the University of Utah Valley State as the largest public institution in Utah, offering a range of specialties including arts, history, philosophy, law, education, and management. The Woodbury School of Business is the largest business school within the University of Utah Valley State system, with many programs aligning well with those of our College of Economics and Trade. He expressed hopes for increased interaction, mutual learning, and bridge-building between Chinese and American youths for a better future.
Extensive discussions took place on collaborative areas such as joint academic programs, student and faculty exchanges, diploma cooperation, and humanities and academic research, leading to preliminary agreements on future cooperation.
The American delegation visited various college facilities and training centers, including participating in a Sino-US student and faculty academic exchange seminar. Professor Tang Jingpeng delivered a special report focusing on the Software and Computer majors in the School of Engineering and Technology. He discussed the current status of computer programs in the US, emphasizing the role of ABET accreditation in ensuring educational quality and the student-centered professional technical talent development model. During the exchange session, faculty and students engaged in lively discussions on Sino-US curriculum development, teaching methodologies, and learning environments.
To provide American visitors with a better understanding of Chinese culture, the college organized a Sino-US student and faculty Intangible Cultural Heritage - Song Rhyme experience activity. Students and faculty from both sides showcased tea-making skills from the Song Dynasty and traditional flower tea culture in traditional attire. During the intangible heritage fan-making experience, the American delegation, under the guidance of Chinese teachers, participated in the entire process of making traditional bamboo fan crafts. Whitman, a student, expressed how these immersive activities deepened his awareness of Chinese traditional culture, sharing his intention to bring these works back to the US and introduce the exquisite traditional craftsmanship to American peers. During their stay, the American delegation also visited the Hangzhou Southern Song Deshou Palace Museum and the Hangzhou Museum.
