Ashland University Signs Joint Agreement with Beijing Normal University ZhuHai

Ashland University officials signed a joint agreement with the dean of education from Beijing Normal University ZhuHai on Jan. 25 that will allow Chinese students to complete their master of education degree studies at Ashland University.

The joint agreement between the two schools allows Chinese students to start their master of education degree and take up to 12 hours of study at Beijing Normal University ZhuHai before coming to the United States and completing the program in one year at Ashland University.

Jian Cheng Wang, the dean of education at Beijing Normal University ZhuHai, spent Monday and part of Tuesday on the Ashland University campus and formally signed the agreement in a ceremony with President Dr. Frederick Finks, Provost Dr. Frank Pettigrew and Dr. James Van Keuren, Dean of the Schar College of Education.

Wang was given a tour of campus and met with academic deans and faculty department chairs to discuss the possibility of a Faculty Exchange Program between Ashland University and Beijing Normal University ZhuHai during 2010-2011.

Van Keuren said the Schar College of Education is excited about the agreement with Beijing Normal University ZhuHai. “I think the faculty exchange program has some great potential and that type of a program would be a first for the College of Education,” he said.

The visit by Wang was arranged by Dr. Nathan Myers, associate professor of educational foundations for the Schar College of Education.

(*Photo Courtesy of the Ashland Times-Gazette)