Point Loma Nazarene University signs MoU with Sias-Sias University

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Point Loma Nazarene University signs MoU with Sias

April 5, 2016

From April 2 to 5, Sias International University was visited by a delegation from Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, USA. The delegation had meetings with the Sias leadership, the School of International Cultural Exchange, and the School of Business, and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 5.

The PLNU delegation consisted of Kerry Fulcher, Provost & Chief Academic Officer; Daniel Bothe, Dean of the Fermanian School of Business; Jamie Ressler, Associate Dean of Graduate Business Education; Robert Gailey, Director of the Center for International Development; Randal Schober, Associate Professor of Management; and Sandy Soohoo-Refaei, Director of the Office of Global Studies.

The delegation began their visit to Sias with a campus tour and an introduction to the internationalization of Sias through the education and the architecture around the campus. The delegation then had a meeting with Dr. Shawn Chen, the Chairman of the Board of Sias; Guo Aimin, Vice President of Sias; William Lu, Director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Department; and Jinjin Chu, the Dean of the School of International Cultural Exchange.

Dr. Shawn Chen gave the delegation an insight into Sias' history, goals, culture, and student-focused structure. He expressed his gratitude to the delegation for their visit, which showed the seriousness of their intentions to build a partnership with Sias. He mentioned that Sias students are given exposure to foreign cultures, and how this partnership and an exchange of students would do well for both sides, giving them exposure to the expectations of an increasingly globalized world. He also spoke about how there has been a shift in the preferred destination for American students studying and traveling abroad, from Europe to Asia. He finally spoke of the flexibility of Sias and his willingness to host PLNU students and faculty.

Sandy Soohoo-Refaei, Director of the Office of Global Studies, spoke of setting up guest lectures and wanted to learn more about Sias so as to tailor any potential exchanges to suit the needs of Sias students and faculty.

After two days of travel, on the 3rd and 4th of April, to the Shaolin Temple, Kaifeng, and the Henan Museum, the delegation returned to Sias for final negotiations and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

On April 5, the delegation from Point Loma Nazarene University had a final meeting with Dr. Shawn Chen, along with the deans of the School of Business and the School of International Cultural Exchange. During this meeting, the terms of the relationship between Sias and PLNU were elucidated. The discussions ranged from the number of students to be exchanged by each side and the date for such exchanges to begin, to the content of courses and roles for visiting faculty and students. The initial exchanges will be for undergraduate students, but the establishing of a 1+1 MBA program is to be a priority. The exchange of faculty for teaching Chinese language, culture, and Chinese business practice will be a focus as well as PLNU has a cap on the number of foreign exchange undergraduate students it can enroll due to their residential location and resultant government restrictions. The two sides decided that the most realistic target date for the beginning of both the 2+1+1 undergraduate program as well as the 1+1 MBA program would be the fall semester of the academic year 2017-18. Additional details including those of scholarships, housing, and the setting up of a China Center by Sias on the PLNU campus were set for future negotiations.

Sias International University and Point Loma Nazarene University then signed a Memorandum of Understanding, with a view to a deep and long-lasting relationship.

Campus tour (Sias-Amidi Incubation Center)