Georgia Institute of Technology China Summer Program 2013 Opens at TJU

May 19, 2013 witnessed the opening ceremony of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) China Summer Program (CSP) at Tianjin University (TJU). TJU Vice Party Secretary Li Yidan addressed the ceremony. Attendees included representatives from the Office of Student Affairs, the Office of Undergraduate Affairs, the Office of International Cooperation, and the School of International Education, as well as student volunteers.

During the ceremony, Vice Party Secretary Li delivered a presentation on the history and development of TJU. He expressed hope that this year’s program would further strengthen the bonds of cooperation between Georgia Tech and TJU. CSP On-Site Director, Prof. Han Zhang, reviewed the achievements made during previous programs, and expressed his gratitude to CSP staff and volunteers for their hardwork. Afterwards, a student representative from TJU shared his study experiences at Georgia Tech, while the Georgia Tech student representative shared his impressions from taking part in the CSP.

The one-month 2013 CSP began on May 19. During the program, CSP students take credit courses offered by Georgia Tech faculty, as well as traditional martial arts, Tai Chi, and Chinese language courses offered by faculty members of TJU. In addition to these courses, students also experience a variety of cultural immersion activities, including a basketball game, football match, cultural visits, a Dragon Boat Festival celebration with students from TJU, and other samplings of local culture.

Established in 1885, Georgia Tech is a public research university. It is among the top three technological universities in America, along with MIT and Cal Tech. In November 2009, Georgia Tech and TJU signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The CSP was initiated in 2010. So far, over 200 Georgia Tech faculty and students have participated in this program while having a self-directed experience of traditional Chinese culture, appreciating the city’s beautiful scenery, and enjoying the campus life at TJU. Each year, TJU faculty and students also visit Georgia Tech for a short-term exchange. These exchange visits have built a strong academic and cultural bond between the two universities.