A delegation from Rutgers, led by Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Richard Edwards and Rutgers China Office Director Jeff Wang, attended the week’s events. At the opening ceremony, EVPAA Edwards was given an honorary professorship from Jilin University. He thanked Jilin for being a strong partner to the university.
“Jilin University is one of several key strategic partners for Rutgers in China. In fact, Rutgers holds the distinction of being Jilin’s first American partner,” EVPAA Edwards said. “Your academic strengths and the high-quality educational experiences you provide for students are known throughout China and in the United States.”
As part of the week, Jilin University launched the Center for American Studies, part of an agreement between the two institutions in which Rutgers will also create a Center for Chinese Studies on the New Brunswick campus. The centers will bring scholars from around the world to offer academic lectures at Jilin and Rutgers, disseminating crucial knowledge to our communities. The centers will provide research and exchange programs, language and cultural learning activities, academic conferences, and much more to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the United States and China.
EVPAA Edwards delivered the inaugural lecture at the Center for American Studies on “Development of American Higher Education and the Global Strategy of Rutgers University.” In addition, the delegation met with Jilin administrators, students, government officials, and visited laboratories and facilities at the university. Delegation members also took part in a Board of Trustees meeting for the Confucius Institute of Rutgers University, which was formed in partnership with Jilin University.
“For thirty years Jilin and Rutgers Universities have collaborated to develop exemplary academic experiences for the faculty, staff, and students at our institutions,” said Rutgers China Office Director Jeff Wang. “We are thrilled to be honored by Jilin University at Rutgers University Week and look forward to building further on this relationship.”
The Rutgers delegation to Jilin University included:
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Richard L. EdwardsExecutive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Interim Chancellor, Rutgers–New Brunswick -
Jeff Wang
Director of Rutgers China Office
Special Assistant to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs -
Ching-I Tu
Professor of Chinese and East Asian Studies
Director of the Confucius Institute of Rutgers University -
Xun Liu
Associate Professor of History
Director of the Rutgers Center for Chinese Studies -
Holly Tyson
Assistant Director of the Confucius Institute of Rutgers University