ASU-Chinese university enter into globalization agreement

March 12, 2010 -- Arkansas State University Chancellor Robert L. Potts, Provost G. Daniel Howard and President Dr. Guangju Chen of Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai (BNU) in China each signed three different memorandum of understanding documents (of which two originals were created in both English and Chinese) that will unite the two institutions into collaboration of globalization initiatives. The signings took place Friday morning during a ceremony in the lobby of ASU’s Administration Building.


Chancellor Robert L. Potts (left) and President Guangju Chen of Beijing Normal University sign agreements while David Wang, Director of International Office at BNU, looks on.

“Arkansas State University is engaged in a global effort that intended to do two things,” said Chancellor Potts. “One is to bring the world to Arkansas State and, two, is to take ASU to the world.  By signing these agreements, we are very pleased to have our friends from China come here today to learn more about ASU.”

An approximate crowd of 75 ASU faculty, administration and staff and a delegation of Chinese university dignitaries looked on as the top institutional leaders signed the documents which were produced in both English and Chinese.

In addition to Dr. Chen, Dr. Ailan Fu, vice president of BNU, Zhuhai; David Wang, director of International Office, BNU, Zhuhai; and Dr. Dai Wei, director of University Development Office, BNU, Zhuhai were present. The group was accompanied by Dr. Alan Chow, who has assisted ASU in the development of academic institutional partnerships in the People’s Republic of China.

“We are very impressed with the size and the beauty of Arkansas State University,” stated Dr. Chen. “This is a dream for all of us. We have the same dream. Signing these agreements is wonderful for future collaborations.”

Beijing Normal, Zhuhai is a relatively new branch of Beijing Normal which was established in 1902. The Zhuhai campus is located on the southern coast of China and has an enrollment of 18,000. The school has 14 colleges and is made up largely of undergraduates. However, BNU, Zhuhai is interested in research and the internationalization of its programs.

Dr. Dan Howard, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost at ASU plans to travel to the BNU campus soon to introduce Arkansas State to students and universities in China.

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