Delegation from China’s Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics visits UT

July 30, 2012 | Features, UToday
By Bob Mackowiak



An administrative delegation of 19 leaders from China’s Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics (ZUFE) visited The University of Toledo for nine days earlier this month.

Dr. Thomas Gutteridge, dean of the UT College of Business and Innovation, right, gave a gift to Ping Zhong, commissioner of the Division of Political Administration at Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics. The two exchanged presents during the Chinese delegation’s recent trip to campus.

The July 9-17 visit was sponsored by the UT College of Business and Innovation and the UT Center for International Studies and Programs.

“It is wonderful to host this group of administrators from our counterpart business school in mainland China to share perspectives on student development, the integration of theory and practice, and the tremendous value of collaboration,” said Dr. Thomas Gutteridge, dean of the College of Business and Innovation.

An initial agreement that established a framework for program collaborations between ZUFE and UT was signed in 2008. ZUFE has an undergraduate program of management in accounting with a concentration in U.S. accounting on its Hangzhou campus, a curriculum that connects with the master of science in accounting degree program offered by the College of Business and Innovation.

“This agreement also demonstrates the expertise and global impact of the UT College of Business and Innovation faculty and programs,” Gutteridge said. “By partnering with select universities around the world, the UT College of Business and Innovation increasingly impacts the development of tomorrow’s ethical business leaders.”

“We’ve been working very hard at UT, had a very successful visit, and benefited a lot,” said Ping Zhong, commissioner of the Division of Political Administration at ZUFE. “We are so honored to complete the program as scheduled, and we gained greatly from many aspects of the visit. We were impressed by the lecturers at UT, and the exchanges and communications with community businesses. The friendship between the two organizations has been enhanced by this valuable visit.”

ZUFE faculty members have visited the UT College of Business and Innovation in the past to learn more about the academic and business environment of this area, but this was the first visit of an administrative delegation. During the visit, the delegation met with UT faculty and students; observed a Rocket Launch freshman orientation program; participated in a panel discussion about higher education in the United States with several UT administrators; visited the Toledo Museum of Art; and observed and audited business classes.

“I was impressed by the student centeredness in all aspects of the University,” said Li Shentu, a lecturer in the Dongfang School for Special Programs at ZUFE. “Seeing the friendliness of the people in administration and the different colleges was a most pleasant experience, people stepping up to help others, even if they didn’t know them.”

Dr. Xia Wei, deputy director of the Division of Academic Affairs at ZUFE, said she was impressed by “the beautiful campus, the openness of the University, the faculty and the design of the curriculum. The University is people-centered, and the visit was a wonderful experience that the Chinese can learn from.”

“I was impressed by the coordination among departments on campus and how efficient, effective and successful the program was,” noted Yuanmei Huang from the ZUFE Division of International Exchange and Cooperation. “You are educating the students as a whole person, and you can see the outcomes in students who are competent and independent.”

“The delegation members experienced both the campus and the community,” said Dr. Aige Guo, director of UT’s Confucius Institute in the Center for International Studies and Programs, who coordinated many aspects of the visit. “It was an opportunity to further collaborate and enhance the partnership between the two institutions. I think it should be inspiring to all of us to see and learn about other cultures.”

Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics was established in 1974 and currently has more than 20,000 students.

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