STONY BROOK, N.Y., March 13, 2007 - State University of New York Chancellor John R. Ryan and Nanjing University Chancellor Hong Yinxing signed a mutual agreement to formalize their educational relationship in an effort to advance cooperation between the two universities and to enhance higher education in China and the United States.
The first phase of the agreement establishes a pilot program that is set for initial launch in August, when NJU and the State University of New York at Stony Brook will introduce newly admitted students at NJU to a unique SUNY-NJU dual diploma program, involving two years of study at NJU and two years of study at Stony Brook University. Students who participate in the program will graduate with two degrees--with either a Bachelor of Science in Biology or a Bachelor of Engineering in Engineering Science.
Chancellor Ryan said, "We greatly appreciate the leadership of NJU Chancellor Hong Yinxing, NJU President Chen Jun and the efforts of their staffs in collaborating on this important agreement. Having a dual-diploma program in China represents a fantastic opportunity for SUNY and NJU students and faculty. The SUNY-NJU agreement will also further strengthen cultural and economic relationships between SUNY and NJU."
New York state and Jiangsu province, home of NJU, have had a long-standing very productive sister state relationship.
In approving the agreement, NJU Chancellor Hong stressed that internationalization is an important part of the curriculum reform effort underway at Nanjing University. He noted, "We believe our emerging relationship with SUNY represents a very positive step in building cross-cultural understanding between the young people of our two countries. Moreover, it also provides a solid foundation for collaborative research and other forms of mutually beneficial academic cooperation."
Provost Palm said, ""There is nothing more important in today's world of higher education than the understanding of the geography, history, economy and cultures of other nations. The very rigorous program that is commencing between SUNY and NJU will add greatly to the undergraduate experience of students on each side. The program will train students initially in biology and materials science, but will also provide graduates with a better understanding of the two nations."
"The globalization of business, economics, science, and a whole range of disciplines, means that this generation of students must think globally," said Stony Brook President Shirley Strum Kenny. "This partnership between Stony Brook and Nanjing University will prepare students from both campuses for tomorrow's world and expand the footprint of SUNY and Stony Brook on the international landscape."
Stony Brook University Provost Robert McGrath said, "We at Stony Brook are enormously enthusiastic about our new agreement with Nanjing University, one of the most prestigious universities in China. The agreement spells out first steps of a larger partnership. It calls for development of joint degree programs in Materials Science and in Biology that will incorporate the best aspects of Chinese and American curricula. These programs will be ready to go already this summer. During the delegation's visit to Stony Brook we also did initial planning for a center of activities in Nanjing University where SUNY students and faculty will interact with their Nanjing counterparts in studies on Chinese language and culture and other topics about our contemporary world. We also found areas of research such as nanoscience where we have much to gain by building collaborations, and we will be laying definite plans over the next months."
The two institutions of higher education also agree that there should be a SUNY presence at Nanjing's international campus, and SUNY-NJU arrangements should foster a similar NJU student and faculty presence at SUNY campuses. In addition, they agree that a goal of the initiative should be development of a curriculum unique to the SUNY-NJU initiative and the creation of a center for cooperative study, research and social activities.
As an alternative to the four-year dual degree program, students may elect to enter one of Stony Brook's combined bachelor/master five-year programs. NJU will identify 30 students from this group for participation in the program. The students will then be provisionally admitted by Stony Brook University, provided that their grade point average is at least 3.0, they have scored at least 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language and completed all curricula requirements of the pilot program. Under such circumstances, Stony Brook University will formally admit them for study in the United States.
In addition, the two universities will work with their respective governments to assist the students and faculty in this pilot program in obtaining necessary visas. Stony Brook University will provide residence hall space for the students and a SUNY-NJU Implementation Working Group will oversee operation of the SUNY-NJU initiative, first by providing a forum for addressing and resolving issues that may arise in connection with it.
As part of the agreement signed today, SUNY faculty identified by Stony Brook will offer four SUNY General Education courses at NJU, and NJU will pay transportation and living costs for Stony Brook University faculty to do so. NJU may send faculty members associated with this pilot program to Stony Brook University as well. Such faculty will participate in instructional activities at Stony Brook University.
After six months, SUNY and NJU will evaluate the program and enter into additional agreements, if necessary, to advance the relationship. Discussions concerning these additional aspects and terms of the program will continue in good faith during the pilot phase via the SUNY-NJU Implementation Working Group. At such time as any additional agreement is entered into, Nanjing will provide SUNY with assurances that all necessary Chinese government approvals have been received or are in process of being granted.
Stony Brook, on behalf of SUNY and its students, will coordinate SUNY study abroad programs for students who wish to study at NJU, and NJU University will facilitate this process.
There are more than 30 programs between SUNY campuses and universities in Turkey, Russia, Mexico, Poland, and now China, in which international and U.S. students can spend a portion of their program at a SUNY campus and a portion at an international partner, receiving two diplomas upon completion of the program.
Signing the agreement today are: Chancellors Ryan and Yinxing, SUNY Provost Risa I. Palm, Nanjing University President Chen Jun, Stony Brook University President Shirley Strum Kenny, Nanjing University Vice President Zhang Rong, and Stony Brook University Provost Robert McGrath.
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive university system in the United States, educating more than 417,000 students in 7,669 degree and certificate programs on 64 campuses.
