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Jinan University (JNU) joins SAF
Jinan University and SAF signed the Memorandum of Understanding a couple of days ago. After the participation, JNU looks forward to cooperating with SAF oversea universities and encourages its students to join more study abroad programs. As one of the most famous comprehensive universities of China, JNU will play an important role in SAF’s further development in south China.
Jinan University is one of the oldest universities in China and one of the “211” key national universities in China. The main campus of JNU is in Guangzhou, the capital city of Guangdong Province and the biggest metropolis in South China. It is the 1st university in China that recruits foreign students, the 1st university in China that enrolls students at both spring and autumn semesters, the 1st university that pioneered the implementation of credit system in China, the university with the largest number of overseas students, the only university that finds her alumni in both Chinese and foreign state-level leaders in China.
The courses offered by the 21 colleges and schools cover almost all the academic disciplines. Currently there are 38,078 students in this university, including 27,171 full-time students, 7,793 graduates and 18,700 undergraduates. The number of overseas students, including foreign students, overseas Chinese students, students from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, amounts to 12,498. Different cultures converge and blend here.
Hunan University (HNU) joined SAF
On June 12th, the president of Hunan University, Prof. Zhong Zhihua signed the MoU with SAF, which indicated that HNU joined SAF and became the 25th Member University of SAF China. HNU and SAF will work together to promote the students’ international mobility.
HNU is located in Changsha, capital city of Hunan Province. It is a key university affiliated with China’s Ministry of Education and included in China’s “211 Project” and “985 Project”. The university, dating back to Yuelu Academy founded in 976 A.D., the most famous academy of the Song Dynasty (960-1279),is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the world.
HNU is a comprehensive university with 30 colleges, a staff of over 4,500 (including a faculty of 1,900, of which are 524 professors, 702 associate professors and 14 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering) and a student body of 30,000, of which are 9,600 graduate students.
Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS) joins SAF
On June 11th, GDUFS joined SAF as the 24th Member University of SAF China. The vice president of GDUFS, Prof. Fang Fanquan and the president of SAF, Prof. John Belcher signed together the Memorandum of Understanding. They both indicated that to promote the international mobility of students and the internationalization of GDUFS will be the common mission of both parties.
Guangdong University of Foreign Studies is one of the prestigious universities in China which specializes in international studies and one of the key institutions of higher learning in Guangdong Province in South China. The University was established in June 1995 through the merger of Guangzhou Institute of Foreign Languages and Guangzhou Institute of Foreign Trade.
The University is situated in Guangzhou, a city with a long history and rich cultural legacy and the economic hub in South China. It boasts three campuses, namely North Campus, South Campus and Dalang Campus, with a total area of 145 hectares. With fine surroundings featuring green trees, crystal streams, scenic bridges and fresh air, the University can well serve as an ideal place for teaching, learning and research.
Currently the University offers 52 undergraduate majors in 19 faculties and departments, which fall into 7 disciplines, namely literature, economics, management, law, engineering, science and education.
Presently, the University has a teaching staff of 1,016, among whom 45.1% are full or associate professors and 84.1% are master's or doctoral degree holders. In addition, it employs over 70 visiting professors and over 60 long-term foreign experts. It now has over 20,000 full-time students, among whom over 1,000 are MA or PhD students. In addition, it enrolls other types of students including self-taught students, refresher course students, students who receive training and foreign students learning Chinese, the number of which is over 10,000.
The University attaches great importance to, and actively conducts, academic and cultural exchanges with overseas institutions. At present, it has established links with 123 universities, academic institutions or cultural organizations in the world.
Fujian Normal University (FNU) Joins SAF
On May 19th 2010, the president of Fujian Normal University (FNU), Prof. Huang Hansheng, signed the SAF-FNU Memorandum of Understanding, which marked the beginning of cooperation between SAF and FNU. FNU is the 23rd Member University of SAF China.
Fujian Normal University is a key institution of higher learning in Fujian with a century-old history and a glorious tradition, which has been hailed as the province’s “cradle of teachers.” Located in Fuzhou, the capital city of Fujian province, the headquarters of FNU is made up of two campuses, the Qishan Campus and the Cangshan Campus, with a total land area of about 230 hectares. Right now, the University consists of 28 colleges, which together offer 56 undergraduate programs, over 120 master programs (including those conferring professional degrees in pedagogy, public administration, physical culture and arts), about 50 doctoral programs and 7 post-doctoral research centers. These programs cover subject areas in literature, history, philosophy, physics, engineering, pedagogy, economics, law, business management, agriculture, etc.. A balanced and coordinated development of this wide spectrum of disciplines has given FNU a distinct identity as a multi-disciplinal comprehensive university. And by conferring a whole range of academic degrees, from bachelors to doctorates, these programs also enable FNU to set up a full-fledged educational system within its institutional framework.
Over 20,000 students are currently enrolled in the two campuses in Fuzhou, among whom over 4,600 are pursuing their graduate degrees and some others are international students from 17 countries such as the U.S., the U.K., Japan, and the Republic of Korea, and from China’s Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan areas or from overseas Chinese families around the world.
Northeast Normal University (NENU) becomes the 22nd SAF member university in Mainland China
On May 12, SAF and NENU signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which indicated that NENU has officially joined the SAF international university network. Both parties said that they will make efforts to promote SAF programs at NENU.
Northeast Normal University is an institution of higher learning under the direct administration of the Ministry of Education, having been selected as one of the universities given priority in construction in the "211 Project". The university is located in Changchun city, Jilin province.
There are 22,618 full-time students at NENU, including 14,083 undergraduates, 8,063 M.A. and Ph.D. students, and 472 foreign students. There are 1,413 full-time teachers, including 367 professors, 450 associate professors and 246 Ph.D. supervisors.
ENU is pursuing educational innovation, stressing the distinctive characteristics of management, working hard to follow through with the Concept of Respect-based Education, implementing reforms in education and teaching, enhancing the development of disciplines and instructors' qualities. The faculties and students are making great efforts together to build NENU into a first-rate normal university in China and to make her well-known worldwide.
Global 30: Internationalizing Higher Education in Japan
Announced by Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) last April, The Global 30 Project aims to enhance the "globalization" of Japanese universities through a system of grants that lay the foundation for dramatically increasing international student enrollments as well as the number of Japanese students studying abroad. The government has made a public commitment to reach its stated goals by 2020. To date, MEXT has identified 13 Japanese universities as a part of the Global 30 including Keio University - an SAF member university as well as Nagoya University, Kyoto University, Osaka University, Sophia University, Meiji University, Doshisha University and Ritsumeikan University. Commenting on this initiative SAF President Prof. John Belcher said "To achieve the intended result this initiative will be very challenging for Japanese universities, which have much to offer international students. To be successful universities will have to play to their strengths, and make significant changes to the way they operate.
Japan's Nanzan University Joins the SAF International University Network
Nanzan University recently became the 9th Japanese University to join SAF. Founded in 1946 as a college of foreign languages, Nanzan University has grown into one of the most prestigious universities in the Tokai region. Yet, even with the addition of new faculties, departments and research centers, the basic purpose and thrust of Nanzan education has stayed the same - to provide an education rooted in Christian values across all fields of knowledge. Undergraduate enrollment is presently limited to around 9,500 students, reflecting Nanzan's commitment to personalized education. Nanzan University has 7 facilities and 7 graduate schools. The promotion of SAF programs on the Nanzan campus will begin in April 2010.
China University of Mining and Technology Beijing becomes the 20th SAF member university in China
A MoU ceremony between China University of Mining and Technology Beijing (CUMTB) and SAF was held in the morning of March 11, 2010. Vice President of CUMTB, Professor Yaodong Jiang and SAF President, Prof. John Belcher attended the ceremony and signed the MoU. CUMTB became the 20th SAF member university in China.
CUMTB was established in 1978 as a graduate school. In 1997 CUMTB was developed into a multi-disciplinary polytechnic university emphasizing graduate, undergraduate and adult education. Since 1997 CUMTB has developed into a distinguished multi-level university where, at present, the student body totals over 6800; including 3900 undergraduate students, 2400 graduate students, and 500 receiving adult education. This university's excellence is demonstrated by the variety of renowned awards its faculty and students have received. CUMTB is home to 2 National Young Scientist award winners, 4 National Outstanding Talent award winners and 1 National Excellent Teacher award recipient. CUMTB gives priority to Engineering and other scientific disciplines, but also hosts Schools of Management, Mechanics, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Basic Science and Arts, Continuing Education, and a School of Vocational Technique in Education.
CUMTB has been officially approved as one of the first universities for the 211 Project, which places it at the top of China's more than 1700 universities. Much attention has been placed on international cooperation and exchange. SAF looks forward to playing a significant role in CUMTB's efforts to educate global citizens and promote the highest quality in education.
Left: SAF President - Prof. John Belcher; Right: CUMTB Vice President - Prof. Yaodong Jiang.
left1: SAF China Director - Daniel Shen; Left2: SAF president - Prof. John Belcher; Right 2: CUMTB vice President - Prof. Yaodong Jiang; Right 1: Deputy Dean of FAO in CUMBT - Ying Yang.
SAF Graduate Access Program (GAP) Launched
Starting fall 2010, SAF undergraduate study abroad participants will have the opportunity to indicate if their long-term educational plan includes pursuing graduate education abroad through the SAF Graduate Access Program (GAP). GAP is designed to (1) educate our undergraduate study abroad participants about graduate programs and admission processes and (2) provide our host university graduate schools and departments with information on talented international undergraduate students interested in pursuing graduate studies abroad. SAF undergraduate study abroad students come from the most prestigious and highly competitive universities in Asia. We are proud to launch this initiative and extend this service to our participants and to host universities seeking to increase the number of talented graduate students they attract.
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding GAP, please to not hesitate to contact SAF HQ.
SAF Professional Development Program: USA Host University Visit Program 2010
Every year SAF sponsors a University Visit Program as part of its Professional Development Program (PDP) for our member universities in Asia which includes site visits to selected SAF host universities. This visit program is offered as part of our commitment to professional development in international education and the continued refinement of the SAF University Network. Participants from Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea will enjoy opportunities to discuss issues concerning undergraduate student mobility, transfer credit and related issues with their American international education colleagues. The SAF host university visit program will take place May 26-30 in advance of the NAFSA National Conference in Kansas City. This year we will visit the University of Washington (ISAYA Institute), Colorado State University and the University of Colorado at Boulder. We anticipate 30-35 international educators from our member universities in Asia to attend. Pervious University Visit Programs have focused on other regions of the USA, the UK and Ireland.
SAF President John Belcher speaks at the China Service Center for Scholarly Exchanges Chinese International Education Forum
On March 12, 2010 in Beijing SAF President, John Belcher, spoke with a panel of experts on international education at the Chinese International Education Forum. Prof. Belcher discussed internationalization developments across Asia including the impact of the SAF's multilateral mobility model in the region.
Annual SAF Staff Meeting, Shanghai, China
Each year in January the SAF holds an annual staff meeting in Asia. The 2010 meeting was held in Shanghai, January 15-18 with 18 SAF staff members in attendance. We discussed progress made in 2009 as well as future develops including the expansion of program options in continental Europe, the development of internship programs and enhanced student services. The highlight of the meeting was a traditional Chinese New Year celebration that allowed staff from all SAF offices to meet with representatives of our member universities in China and local dignitaries.
New SAF Host Universities
SAF is pleased announce that the following universities recently joined the SAF International University Network:
State University of New York, Buffalo (USA)
University College London (UK)
University of California Los Angeles (USA)
University of New South Wales (Australia)
University of Washington, ISAYA (USA)
Victoria University of Wellington (New Zealand)
University of Washington, ISAYA Institute
The Jackson School of International Studies and University of Washington's International and English Language Programs (IELP) have partnered to launch the International Studies Academic Year Abroad (ISAYA) Institute. Through ISAYA, intermediate to advanced English language learners have an opportunity to enroll in regularly offered undergraduate courses of the Jackson School as well as English language courses offered by IELP that focus on two important global issues - Global Sustainability or International Economies. This kind of concurrent enrollment program (i.e. part-time enrollment in regularly offered courses of the host university and part-time enrollment in advanced English language classes) is a study abroad model that is likely to be very popular with SAF participants.
Nankai joins SAF as 18th Chinese member university
From left to right: Henry Oh, Director of SAF Korea; Daniel Shen, Director of SAF China; John Belcher, President of SAF; Guan Naijia, Vice president of Nankai University; Lin Runzhi, Deputy Dean of International Office; Mr. Zhang Ning, working staff of International Office of Nankai U.
On January 22, 2010, the MoU Ceremony was held in Nankai university in Tianjin, and Nankai University became SAF’s 18th official university member in China. The president of Study Abroad foundation, Professor John Belcher and the vice president of Nankai University, Professor Naijia Guan attended the ceremony. Professor Naijia Guan said that the “internationalization strategy” is one of the five core strategies for Nankai University development and Nankai University wanted to promote students’ mobility and to share high quality educational resources by joining in SAF university network.
Profile of Nankai University: Founded in 1919, a key multidisciplinary and research-oriented university directly under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education, Nankai University, located in Tianjin on the border of the sea of Bohai, is also the alma mater of late Premier Zhou Enlai. Nankai University is one of Chinese top universities of “211 project” and “985 project”. Currently, the University has 1,696 faculty and a total enrollment of 21,905 students, including 12,499 undergraduate students.
Software Engineering Consortium joins SAF
SAF is pleased to announce our newest member in China, The Office of Pilot Software Engineering Schools. This member is not a university, but a network of university departments from the National Pilot Software Engineering Schools at 37 of China’s top universities and represents the first consortial university member to join SAF. The Office of Pilot Software Engineering Schools of the Ministry of Education in China, located at Beijing Jiaotong University, was established in 2006. Its mission is to promote the collaboration and progress of pilot software engineering schools across China, to improve cooperation with the software industry, and to enhance internationalization. This innovative membership with the Office of Pilot Software Engineering Schools will provide study abroad opportunities and to students throughout China and further the goal of internationalizing these prestigious programs. SAF welcomes our new member.
Beijing University of Chemical Technology Joins SAF
(left to right) Ms Haiping Geng, Dean, International Office, BUCT, Prof. Tianwei Tan, Vice President, International Affairs, BUCT, Prof. John Belcher, President, SAF, Daniel Shen, Director, SAF China
Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT) is one of China's top universities and a member of the distinguished 211 group of leading research universities in China. Like many of China's top universities, BUCT has its origin in a highly specialized higher education system influenced by the former Soviet Union, hence its very focused name. Today however, BUCT is a comprehensive university with 10 faculties and 26,300 students. Speaking at the November 10 MOU signing ceremony, Vice President Tianwei Tan, said, "SAF built a network of leading universities. We are happy to be part of it and give more opportunities to students for study abroad for 1 year with 3 years' study in BUCT." Prof. John Belcher, SAF President welcomed BUCT as SAF's 15th member university in China.
A True Liberal Arts Education
Three Chinese undergraduates document their positive experience attending small liberal arts colleges in the US in a new book released by Chinese Publishing Group, A True Liberal Arts Education. An article in Inside Higher Education provides interesting interviews with the authors and an introduction in Chinese. SAF works some of the most prestigious liberal arts colleges in the US including Middlebury College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College.
Fall (Semester II) Programs off to a Smooth Start. Overall Good Growth. New Programs in China, France, Germany, Korea, Spain and Switzerland
Despite the worldwide economic downturn and the threat of swine flu, SAF student enrollment increased 62% from Fall 2008 to Fall 2009. This significant increase can be partially attributed to SAF’s new program with Rikkyo University’s Department of Intercultural Communications (CIC). Through the CIC-SAF agreement, Rikkyo students have the opportunity to study abroad at prestigious universities in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, China and Korea. SAF developed programs in Europe and Asia at Rikkyo’s request and these programs are now available to any SAF participant. Please contact your SAF Country Office representative for additional information.
Overall SAF has experienced good growth notably in China and Japan. In Korea and Taiwan the economic downturn has had an impact, especially in Korea where the currency significantly fell in value in 2008/9. SAF Headquarters (SAF HQ) in Indianapolis has increased its office size within the same building it shares with other non-profit organizations including IFSA-Butler.
SAF Office Opened in Beijing
SAF China has been working with SAF member universities in the Beijing area from the SAF China office in Shanghai. Beginning in September 2009 SAF China will also operate a Beijing office located in the International Exchange Center building of Beijing Normal University. The office is very central to the capital’s “university district” and therefore easily accessed by students from other SAF member universities nearby.
New SAF China Director Appointed
Daniel Shen has been appointed Director SAF China. Daniel is currently Assistant Dean at Beijing Jiao Tong University’s School of Software Engineering where is responsible for the School’s international affairs. Simultaneously he is Assistant Director at the Office of National Software Engineering Schools at the Ministry of Education, China. Previously Daniel held positions in business in Australia and is an Australian citizen. Daniel’s undergraduate degree is in telecommunications and from Beijing Information and Technology University. His Masters degree from the University of New South Wales, Australia is in computer science. Theresa Li, SAF China’s founding director will be moving on to take a new position at Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Government-Sponsored Study Abroad Scholarship Program in Taiwan
SAF Taiwan has been working with recipients of a new Taiwan scholarship program designed to encourage study abroad. Some universities with a wide range of exchange partners are able to use scholarships in conjunction with their exchange programs, but many universities do not have well-developed networks of suitable partners and are working with SAF to provide these scholarships to students accepted on SAF programs. 400 merit scholarships valued at TWD 300,000 (approx USD 9,000) are available each year. Additional scholarships are availed for students from low income families and to encourage participation in study abroad internships.
Shinshuu University the First National Japanese University to Join SAF
Shinshuu National University has become the first national university in Japan to join SAF. In China, Taiwan and Korea SAF has in its membership many national universities, but in Japan national universities have been slow to participate in multilateral international student mobility programs and join organizations established to facilitate such mobility. Shinshuu National University, with eight departments on five campuses, was founded in 1949 and is located in Nagano Prefecture. In a message to SAF Dr. Akio Nomura, Trustee in Charge of International Relations said “Shinshuu National University believes in the importance of developing individuals who can work in a global society and fostering their training through interactions with other cultures, races, languages, religions, ideologies and overcoming these differences to gain mutual understanding. Shinshuu has about 70 international partners, ranging from student exchange to research collaborations, and these have allowed students to gain invaluable international experience that will contribute to their future lives. However, even with our many partners, Shinshuu has not been able to provide students with the wide variety of study options necessary to fulfill their needs and wishes, and have been looking for a way to solve this problem. Shinshuu National University took the opportunity to join the multilateral SAF network and is pleased to be given the chance to offer a wider variety of programs and opportunities to Shinshuu students.”
New SAF Agreement with Showa Women's University, Japan
Prof. Marko Bando, President of Showa Women's University, emphasized the university's commitment to international education by signing an agreement to join SAF on June 24, 2009. The university launched a new International Department in April 2009, and as a part of the curriculum all 80 students are required to study at the Showa University Boston campus or at Showa’s partners in China or Korea during their 2nd year. In order to offer a wider variety of opportunities to students, SAF in partnership with the International Department developed and launched a new program, “Boston + ONE”. Through the Boston + ONE program, Showa students who study at the Showa Boston campus for a semester are able to extend their study abroad experience for an additional semester or academic year through SAF study options in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany and Spain. With the introduction of this new study abroad program, Showa Women's University concurrently developed a new scholarship system specifically for those students who participate in SAF programs for a semester or a year.
Okinawa International University, SAF Japan Works with Students via Teleconferencing
To implement a new “Officially Approved” Study Abroad Program and Scholarship System within the university OKIU decided to join the SAF International University Network. Previously OKIU students who studied outside of the exchange system needed to take a year off and were not able to transfer credit, and therefore were not able to graduate in four years. OKIU has developed an approval and scholarship system for all OKIU students who are accepted into overseas study programs. One slight problem for SAF is that OKIU is in the Ryukyu Islands and some 1600 kilometers (995 miles) from the SAF Japan office in Tokyo. It is in fact closer to the SAF office in Taiwan. OKIU’s International Center and SAF decided to overcome this problem by using Skype teleconferencing for student counseling. Counseling sessions for students are held once a week with students using a designated computer in the OKIU International Center. Each counseling session is approximately 45 minutes. SAF staff visit OKIU twice a year to meet with students and to hold student seminars and orientations.
New SAF Member Universities in Korea
Korea University and the Catholic University of Korea have recently signed on as the newest members of the SAF International University Network. SAF is pleased to be working with both of these distinguished universities to place their students in their study abroad programs of choice in locations throughout the world. The signing on of Korea University is particularly noteworthy as SAF is now working with all three "SKY" ( as in reach for the …”) universities in Korea, the most prestigious universities in the country (Seoul National University, Korea University and Yonsei University).
SAF Reception Held at the Residence of the British Ambassador to Korea
 Mr. Martin Uden, British Ambassador to Korea, recently hosted a reception for the Study Abroad Foundation at his residence in Seoul. The event brought together recently returned SAF students, SAF staff members, as well as officials from SAF member universities in Korea.
Ambassador Uden (pictured middle), a laws graduate of Queen Mary – University of London, had the chance to meet former SAF students including Hyoyoung Kim (pictured left) from Queen Mary University and Hee Seung Lee (pictured right) from the University of Westminster.
Visit SAF Country Offices
Host university officials traveling to China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea are encouraged to visit SAF Country Offices to discuss your institution’s study abroad programs and “pre-semester” or “pre-sessional” ESL opportunities. If you are considering a visit to an SAF Country Office, please contact Tracy Tao, Chin Ning, Brett Rumminger or Henry Oh directly. Depending upon the proposed date(s) of your visit, it may be possible to join the SAF staff on a visit to SAF member universities for either a study abroad seminar or meeting with staff of the international education office.
Documents
Details coming soon
Links
AIEA Association of International Education Administrators
APAIE Asia-Pacific Association for International Education
CBIE Canadian Bureau for International Education
CONAHEC Consortium for North American Higher Education Collaboration
EAIE European Association for International Education
IAU International Association of Universities
IEAA International Education Association of Australia
IEAC International Educators Association of Canada
IEASA International Education Association of South Africa
IIE Institute of International Education
ISANA International Education Association
JAFSA Japan Network for International Education
KAFSA Korean Association of Foreign Student Administrators
KAIE Korean Association for International Educators
NAFSA Association of International Educators
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