There is no doubt whatsoever that strong relations between the United States and China are important for future economic success.
Saginaw Valley State University will be helping make those bonds stronger along with nine other institutions of higher learning nationwide as they have been selected for the International Academic Partnerships Program's 2011 China Initiative.
The program, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, will find Saginaw Valley working through a series of events meant to grow and establish partnerships in China over the next 12 months.
"This initiative is part of our commitment to support growing educational, cultural and commercial ties with China," says Donald Bachand, SVSU provost. "These relationships are critical to our nation, and invaluable to our students."
Relationships with China have already been formed by the college, which has more than 150 Chinese students currently enrolled in classes. In addition, students that qualify for highly competitive leadership programs like the Roberts and Gerstacker fellowships regularly travel to China as part of their experience.
China's ties to the Mid Michigan area are well established, too, with a Chinese company recently purchasing Saginaw County-based Nexteer Automotive. In addition, Dow Chemical and Dow Corning each have actively sought employees with knowledge of China for potential future business in that country.
Writer: Sam EgglestonSource: Donald Bachand, Saginaw Valley State University
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