Kent State University announced today that it has signed memorandums of understanding on education cooperation with seven leading Chinese universities. Dr. Robert G. Frank, senior vice president for academic affairs and provost, led the Kent State delegation, which visited China from June 8-16.

Academic officials from Beijing Normal University, Capital Normal University (Beijing), Shanghai International Studies University, Shanghai Normal University, Tsinghua University (Beijing), Xi’an International Studies University, and Xi’an International University entered into the partnership with Kent State. The visit was part of a new internationalization plan by President Lester A. Lefton and Frank aimed at expanding operations to, while offering more educational opportunities in, strategic regions of the world.

“Kent State’s students will be participating in a global economy,” Frank says. “We must, therefore, give them opportunities to understand a variety of cultures and perspectives.”

Additionally, according to Provost Frank, Kent State must do its part to educate the world about Northeast Ohio. “The economy of Northeast Ohio is no longer connected only with the rest of the United States. Rather, our economic future depends on our ability to work with people throughout the world.”

Currently, the university boasts established academic centers in Florence, Italy, and Geneva, Switzerland, in addition to relationships in Russia, Japan, Turkey and other countries.

Areas of cooperation discussed by Kent State and the top Chinese institutions’ academic administrators include:

• Recruiting Chinese students and faculty to Kent State’s Ph.D. programs;
• Creating graduate programs that allow students to complete master’s degrees with a combination of courses taken in China and at Kent State;
• Developing undergraduate degree programs that allow students to combine courses taken in China with those at Kent State;
• Developing joint research and creative programs in the areas of art, business, biology, chemistry, communication, design, education, liquid crystals, media and music;
• Developing faculty and student exchange programs as well as study tours and joint performances and exhibitions; and
• Developing cross-cultural training programs for practitioners in advertising, public relations and news media management.

Accompanying Frank were Dr. Timothy Chandler, dean, College of Arts; Dr. James Gaudino, dean, College of Communication and Information; and Dr. Mark Holder, chair, College of Business Administration’s Department of Finance.  The China trip is an element of the university’s comprehensive international program, managed by Dr. Steve Michael, vice provost.

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