In order to further deepen and expand cooperation with leading US universities, the delegation led by Professor Bao Guoxian, dean of School of Management, Lanzhou University, Professor He Wensheng, vice dean, and associate professor Wang Xuejun, were invited to visit Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, Portland State University, University of Nevada, Reno, held in-depth discussions on strengthening cooperation in running schools, staff and student exchanges, scientific research, co-hosting international conferences, student entrepreneurship with the United States colleges and institutions and reached a number of important consensuses from March 9 to 13, 2015.
At Northwestern University, accompanied by Clarke Caywood, professor of the Integrated Marketing Communications, the delegation met with Professor Don Schultz, pioneer of the Integrated Marketing Communication Theory, Professor Brad Hamm, dean of the Medill School of Journalism, Professor Bobby Calder, director of the Marketing Department of the Kellogg School of Management. Professor Bao Guoxian and Professor Caywood reviewed progress in cooperation between the two sides over the past few years, and held an in-depth discussion on the future orientation of cooperation, and the two sides agreed to take full use of the Northwestern University academic strengths in integrated marketing communications and LZU’s geographical advantage in being located in the middle part of the Silk Road, and research foundation of commercial science, to strengthen cooperation in the creative cultural industries, strategic marketing and senior management personnel training.
At the University of Chicago, the delegation met with Dr. Michael Kulma, assistant vice president in charge of global affairs and exchanged views on promoting business education cooperation and student exchanges. Professor Bao Guoxian proposed the two sides could co-host small academic conferences, jointly train students and carry out cooperation in “One Belt One Road” research at first, and gradually expand areas of cooperation. Dr. Michael Kulma supported Bao’s proposal by implementing it at the school and professor level as soon as possible. Subsequently, Professor Bao Guoxian met and discussed specific details of the cooperation with Pingyang Gao, associate professor of the Booth Business School, and Professor Colm O'Muircheartaigh, former dean of the Harris School of Public Policy.
At Portland State University, President Wim Wiewel and Professor Steve Percy, dean of the School of Urban and Public Affairs met separately with the delegation. According to President Wiewel, the Mark O. Hatfield School of Government, Portland State University, and the School of Management, Lanzhou University, had made comprehensive and substantive cooperation over the past decade in public management disciplines, setting a good example for the Sino-US cooperation in the field of higher education. He expressed the wish to further firmly support the cooperation between the two schools and gradually broaden it up to the university level. Professor Bao Guoxian highlighted the cooperation orientation at the school level and invited President Wiewel to participate in the Fourth International Conference on Government Performance Management and Leadership. President Wiewel happily accepted the invitation. During the visit, Professor Bao Guoxian and Ron Tammen, dean of the Hatfield School of Government, Professor Douglas Morgan, director of the Public Administration Department, and Phil Keisling, director of the Public Service Center carefully discussed on jointly organizing the Fourth International Conference and worked out the cooperation plan for the next five years.
At the University of Nevada, Reno, the delegation had a meeting with Professor Kevin Carman, vice president and academic dean of the University of Nevada, reviewing the cooperation between two sides in recent years, and exchanging views on co-organizing international MBA program. According to vice president Carman, the School of Management of Lanzhou University is one of the prioritized cooperation partners of the Business School of the University of Nevada, Reno, and they would actively support the cooperation in terms of resources and policy. Subsequently, Professor Bao Guoxian and his delegation talked with Professor Greg Mosier, dean of the Business School of the University of Nevada, Reno, Elliott Parker, economics professor and director of the Economics Department of the Business School, and Karsten Heise, director of the Office of Economic Development in Nevada, specifically about conducting cooperation in organizing international MBA degree programs. The two sides agreed to set up the IMBA program between Lanzhou University and the University of Nevada, Reno and exchanged views in course structure, teaching staff, teaching methods, project schedules, etc.
During the visit, Professor Bao Guoxian and his delegation also met Professor Richard Karplus and Professor Aaron Donsky of the Silicon Valley University, exchanged views with two professors on student entrepreneurial model, entrepreneurial curriculum and other issues, laying a foundation for future cooperation.
The visit of the delegation led by Professor Bao Guoxian reinforces the exisiting cooperation between the School of Management, LZU and the American universities, increases the number of cooperation institutions and improves cooperation in depth and width, which plays a positive role in implementing the internationalization strategy of the school and upgrading its international influence.
(Translated by Li Yafeng; proofread by Sissi Xu)
