Did You Know?
The Minnesota-China connection
See larger image
The Guangzhou Chapter of the UMAA was officially launched on November 18, 2005. A delegation from the University of Minnesota, including President Bruininks and his wife Susan Hagstrum, attended the ceremonies along with officials from the new chapter and visiting officials from neighboring chapters.
June 2, 2006 The University of Minnesota is a top destination for Chinese students and scholars who come to the United States, continuing a thriving relationship that started nearly a century ago. Since 1914, when Kwong Yih Kum and brothers Wen Huen Pan and Weng Pin Pan enrolled in fall classes and became well-known on campus as stars on the men's soccer team, more than 8,000 Chinese students have graduated wearing maroon and gold. And today, about 1,200 Chinese citizens study and teach at the University. No other university in America can match either number. One reason for the Minnesota-China connection: the University has a reputation for excellence that's traveled the 6,700 miles across the Pacific. A recent survey conducted in China, for example, rated the Carlson School of Management's MBA program for Chinese business executives as the top such program in the United States. It's just one of several exchange opportunities building on the Minnesota-China connection. The China Center, established in 1979 when U.S.-China relations were normalized, is one of only two such university centers in the country. The University's ties to one of the world's fastest-growing economies have been good for Minnesota. The value of the state's exports to China has risen dramatically in recent years, exceeding $1.15 billion in 2005 -- an increase of 71 percent over 2004. China is the top market for Minnesota computer and electronic products. Overall, Minnesota ranks 8th among states in exports to China, up from 18th in 2004. University graduates have contributed to China's development. Pei-Sung Tang, who received a B.A. in 1928 and an honorary Ph.D. in 1996, is considered the father of plant physiology in China. Physicist Hoff Lu, also a University graduate, was a pioneer in China's nuclear-energy program. Minnesota alumni have served as president of China's television ministry and governor of its central bank. Six of the University Alumni Association's 21 international chapters are located in China. Expect that number to grow. In 1990, 1.1 million freshmen were enrolled in Chinese universities. Today there are 4.3 million. If current trends hold true, many of China's knowledge-hungry young people will think of Minnesota first when they consider their educational opportunities abroad. Further reading UMNnews: U of M to unveil bust of Hoff Lu, Chinese physicist and alumnus UMNnews: Carlson School program rated No. 1 in China China Center
|
