The event stems from the designation of HSU in 2006 by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), in collaboration with the China Center for International Education Exchange (CCIEE), as one of five new United States institutions enrolled in the Sino-American 1+2+1dual degree program.
That initiative involves 17 Chinese universities that will partner with five new American institutions, including HSU, in a proven academic program that enables Chinese students to spend their freshman year at a Chinese partner campus, their sophomore and junior years at HSU and their senior year at a Chinese partner campus.
The 12-member delegation visiting the Arcata campus Nov. 26 will include eight university presidents and officials from CCIEE, AASCU and the CEAIE, China Education Association for International Exchange.
The 9:00 - 11:45 a.m. event will comprise a CCIEE presentation from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. and an HSU presentation at 10:15 a.m., both in the Kate Buchanan Room at University Center.
In a sweeping expansion, HSU signed ambitious accords last summer with the 17 institutions of higher learning in the People's Republic of China that will enable Chinese students to complete their sophomore and junior years at HSU.
China's partner schools are Changshu Institute of Technology, Dali University, Henan Polytechnic University, Henan University, Henan University of Technology, Inner Mongolia University, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, Long Dong University, Nanjing University of Technology, Nanyang Normal University, Pingdingshan University, Tianjin Institute of Urban Construction, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry and Zhongyuan University of Technology.
According to HSU Professor Guy-Alain Amoussou, Director of International Programs, Humboldt State and its partners have agreed to mutual academic credit acceptance and transfer, which will involve the articulation of curriculum. "HSU will ensure that the Chinese students meet the necessary English proficiency," he said.
Initially, available majors will be biology, business, chemistry, computer science, computer information systems, English, international studies, mathematics, physics and psychology.
Beyond the attendance of Chinese students at Humboldt State, the dual-degree agreements will help foster international activities, such as faculty and student exchanges, Dr. Amoussou said. "It will also bolster collaborative research and the establishment of a strong Chinese program at HSU."
The multiplying partnerships reinforce Humboldt State's long-term and accelerating drive to internationalize the campus and encourage diversity and multicultural learning.
The new partnerships also buttress the University's substantial enrollment gains in 2006 and 2007. Professor Amoussou said HSU is prepared to welcome up to 60 students each year through the dual-degree program, beginning with the Fall 2008 semester. The 60-ceiling is a trial and likely to rise as the program matures. An International House is incorporated in on-campus residence to accommodate both international and American students and establish cross-cultural living experiences.
The latest 17 accords stem from HSU's selection in 2006 among five additional institutions in the United States named to participate in the Sino-American "1+2+1" initiative by the AASCU, in tandem with the CCIEE.
The AASCU has 430 public college and university members from the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Its charter is to strengthen academic quality, generate professional development opportunities for high ranking academic leaders, analyze public policy and advocate for member institutions and the students they serve.
The CCIEE, headquartered in Beijing, is a non-profit organization founded in 1981 and registered with the Ministry of Civil Affairs. It promotes the advancement of education, culture, science and technology and provides professional guidance and coordination to its 145 member institutions.