A delegation from Southern Arkansas University visited China this summer to market SAU to Chinese students, as well as to encourage educational cooperation between China and SAU. The “China Initiative” included: Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Brian Canfield, College of Education Dean, Dr. Zaidy Mohdzain, and Director of International Student Services, Claudia Lyons.
The delegation’s objectives concerning the “China Initiative” was to recruit qualified Chinese students into SAU courses and degree programs, as well as help develop and foster interest in the student and faculty exchange programs with China. At least one of these goals has already been met. SAU has eight new Chinese students this semester.
“China is a great market for SAU because of the rigid setup of their educational and testing systems,” Lyons said. “Only the top percent of Chinese students are selected to go to college, and those that are selected do not get to choose their majors—majors are chosen for them based on their test scores.”
During the 10 day promotional trip, the delegation visited the cities of Shanghai, Taiyuan and Guiyang. In Shanghai, they toured the American Education Center, which is a part of English Language Centers. English Language Centers teach English to students from other countries who want to study abroad.
Lyons also visited the American Consulate in Shanghai where she met with Andrea Corey, who is in charge of issuing visas to Chinese students who want to study abroad in the United States. According to Lyons, the more awareness there is about SAU, the easier it is for Chinese students to get visas.
The delegation traveled north to the city of Taiyuan, where they met with Academic Studies Abroad President Dr. Michael Lee, who was contracted to recruit students for SAU in China. The ASA has placed more than 10,000 students in the United States and Britain in the past 30 years from Taiwan and China, Lee said. The ASA also has business relationships with hundreds of colleges and language schools in the United States and Britain. While visiting Lee, the delegation attended a recruitment fair Lee organized which approximately 90 potential students attended. Mohdzain said there is stiff competition between SAU and other American universities for these students. The American Education Center in Shanghai will provide SAU with free use of their physical facilities if SAU wants to offer classes there.
Guiyang, home of Guizhou Normal University, was the final city the delegation visited. Lyons Canfield and Mohdzain met and worked with their Chinese counterparts from GNU. Representatives from GNU originally visited SAU in December 2008 which began this ongoing relationship. Lyons said there is no substitute for learning about another place than going there.
“Traveling abroad not only gives you a better appreciation of our world, but it gives you a more true view of the world itself. I believe everyone could benefit from traveling abroad, or even studying or teaching abroad,” said Lyons.
