TJU Delegation Visits the U.S. and Canada

From June 19-26, 2013, a delegation from Tianjin University (TJU) led by Chairman of the University Council Liu Jianping visited the United States (U.S.) and Canada. In the U.S., the delegation visited the University of Miami and Brigham Young University. While in Canada, they paid a visit to the University of British Columbia and the Consulates-General of China in Vancouver, as well as participated in an activity with TJU alumni there.

At Brigham Young University in the U.S., the delegation was received by President Cecil O. Samuelson, International Vice President Sandra Rogers, and other representatives. Chairman Liu proffered a presentation on TJU, including its history and development, focusing in particular on arts education at TJU which has made outstanding achievements, such as the Peiyang chorus among others. He also expressed hope that the two universities could develop cooperation in faculty exchange and joint research. Reviewing the current cooperation in exchange of arts groups and selection of international faculty, both leaders expected this ongoing cooperation to break new ground. Subsequently, Chairman Liu held respective talks with representatives from the College of Fine Arts and Communications, the College of Life Sciences, and the David M. Kennedy Center in terms of teaching achievement, college organization, staff employment and management, as well as the selection of foreign teachers.

At the Miller School of Medicine of the University of Miami, Senior Advisor to the Senior Vice President and Dean Chunming Dong received the delegation. Dr. Dong gave a briefing on the school, including its medical system, stem cell research, and research funds. Chairman Liu provided an overview of TJU's history and disciplines. He said that the School of Life Sciences was in an early stage. Additionally, he hoped that both sides could initiate cooperation in high-level talent development in the field of life sciences. Afterwards, the delegation visited laboratories in the research centers of gene, diabetes, and hemiplegic prevention. There, they were given updates about research in such frontier fields as DNA sequencing and Islet cell transplant.

At the University of British Columbia, Chairman Liu held respective discussions with the Vice President of Research and International John Hepburn, Director of Go Global: International Learning Programs Katherine Beaumont, and other representatives from the Life Sciences Institute. Chairman Liu provided them with an overview of TJU, including its history, disciplines, talent development, and research, as well as cooperation with the University of British Columbia. Vice President Hepburn proffered a general synopsis of the University of British Columbia. After an in-depth discussion on issues of common concern, both leaders agreed to further enhance their cooperation on faculty and student exchange as well as joint research. Subsequently, the delegation also visited the laboratory of the Life Sciences Institute.

At the Consulates-General of China in Vancouver, Counselor of Education Xue Huanbai met with the delegation. She talked about the development of education, technology, and culture in Vancouver. Both sides exchanged views on the cooperation between TJU and the universities and enterprises in Vancouver.

In Canada, Chairman Liu also met with TJU alumni in Vancouver, conveying their alma mater’s greetings to them. He updated alumni on TJU’s recent development, and encouraged them to make greater contributions to their motherland and maintain close ties with their alma mater. The alumni expressed pride in their alma mater’s rapid development and their unswerving dedication to the development of TJU.

This successful visit laid a solid foundation for comprehensive cooperation between TJU and renowned universities in the U.S. and Canada, and also streamlined the implementation of its Internationalization Strategy.