EMU agrees to exchanges with Chinese university

April 20, 2015

Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) and Sichuan University of Arts and Science, located in central China, signed an agreement on Jan. 13, 2015, to “promote academic exchanges, scientific research cooperation, and communication between teachers and students.” The signing occurred during a one-day visit to the EMU campus in by Meng Zhaohuai, president of Sichuan University, and five other administrators. “It was cold and rainy when we arrived, but now it is sunny,” said Zhaohuai through an interpreter at a luncheon for the delegation. “That is a sign of our friendship.” The two schools have been interacting for 16 years through Mennonite Partners in China, which places English teachers at Sichuan University of Arts and Science and many other schools. In turn, Sichuan sends visiting scholars to EMU. Sichuan promotes international interaction by, among other things, forging exchange agreements with universities in six countries. EMU’s biggest international program is the requirement that all undergraduate students participate in a cross-cultural experience. Most students do a study-service tour in another country before graduation. “Sichuan University of Arts and Science is the kind of school we like to relate to,” said Myrrl Byler of Mennonite Partners in China. “It is in a more rural area of China and needs help connecting with the outside world.” —Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg, Va.)

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