China Initiatives at Mason

Madelyn RossGeorge Mason University

Spring 2011

Goals•Improve Mason’s international reputation•Attract strong group of international students•Help internationalize the campus•Create more international opportunities for students, faculty

China Coordinator hired in 2003

• Understand scope of China activities• Identify and support key areas of ongoing activity (Chinese

language program, study abroad, research and training partnerships)

• Develop a long-range strategy and identify appropriate projects that build on Mason strengths and develop more systemic links with China

The 1+2+1 Program at George Mason

• The program gave Mason the chance to receive good students and build strong partnerships with Chinese universities at the same time.

• Mason signed 1+2+1 agreements with five Chinese university partners in 2004. The first 16 students came to Mason in August 2005.

• The 1+2+1 program is now Mason’s largest dual degree program.

More than 180 Chinese students in this program have studied at Mason 2005-2010

2005-06 group 162006-07 group 292007-08 group 302008-09 group 322009-10 group 462010-11 group 31

Mason’s 121 university partners

• Beijing Normal University 北 京 师范大学 • Chang’an University 长安 大学 • China Pharmaceutical University 中国药科大学 • Chongqing University 重庆大学 • Communication University of China 中国传媒大学• Hefei University of Technology 合肥工业大学• Henan University 河南大学 • Liaoning University 辽宁 大学 • Nanjing Normal University 南京 师范 大学• Nanjing University of Information Science and Tech 。• 南京信息工程大学• Shaanxi Normal University 陕西师范大学• Shandong University at Weihai 山东大学（威海分校）• Soochow University 苏州大学 • Southwest Jiaotong University 西南 交通 大学• Wuhan University of Technology 武汉理工 大学 • Yunnan University 云南大学

Most 1+2+1 students major in Economics, Finance or Computer Science New degrees have been added gradually in response to departmental

and/or student interest

Other Degree Options

• Global Affairs• Geography• Management• Marketing• Music• Dance• Art and Visual Technology• Physics• Environmental Science• Computational and Data Sci.

How does the program work?

Students take regular first year courses at their Chinese university before coming to Mason in year 2.

Students begin at Mason by taking a test at English Language Institute. Based on test results, they may stay in ELI for 1-3 semesters before

moving into regular academic classes.

Students live on campus and are assigned non-Chinese roommatesEncouraged to take full advantage of what Mason offers in their time

here.

Classes

At Mason, all 1+2+1 students take UNIV 100 Freshman Transition to provide cultural context and learn how American universities operate.

Most students also take a full course load in summer in order to finish most of their Mason requirements within 2-3 years.

Dual degree students are mainstreamed with other Mason students. They complete all General Education and departmental requirements for both of their universities. A waiver of Global Understanding is available if students complete a qualifying essay.

Students have been very successful both in and outside the classroom.

Each year seniors are honored by various departments.Almost all students qualify for the Dean’s list at Mason.They join campus organizations and take part in sports and service opportunities.

Distinctive Program Features

• The program involves a consortium of schools in both countries: There are now 80 Chinese universities and 20 US universities taking part.

• It operates under the auspices and support of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) in the US and the China Center for International Educational Exchanges (CCIEE)

• Began with specific goals in 2001: devise a dual degree with China that would be affordable and minimize visa problems

The Consortium Approach

• Strong support from AASCU and CCIEE • Help with recruiting and management• Broad source of students------------------------• Complexity—multiple partners and degrees• Need to transfer credits between universities

based on accurate and timely information• Pressure to grow rapidly

Current Activity

Academic guidelines created for each department hosting dual degree students

Build course databasesCreate equivalency tables for each partner

schoolRegularize and streamline administrative

procedures, guidelines for advisors, students

Benefits of the program

1. Brings top international students to Mason2. Gives Mason faculty and staff hands-on

experience with international partnerships3. Develops strong partnerships with Chinese

universities; leads to additional activities4. Cultural enrichment for Mason community

Cultural Enrichment

The program provides opportunities for 1+2+1 students to share their culture on campus.Brings US and Chinese students together for joint activities

• Visiting Scholar Program • Nanjing Normal University music exchanges• Southwest Jiaotong University training

program• NUIST young teacher training• Creates opportunities for Mason students and

faculty to study/travel in China

New Activities with 1+2+1 Partners

Other Mason China Initiatives

Thank you 谢谢