Sias International University held high-level talks with a delegation from Hawai'i Pacific University (HPU) on November 6. The talks are part of a week-long visit to deepen the relationship between the two universities. The delegation from HPU consisted of the Provost, Dr. Matthew Liao-Troth, and the Dean of the School of Business, Dr. Deborah Crown.

The talks began on the 8th floor of the Administration Building with the Chairman of the Board of Sias, Dr. Shawn Chen; Sias President, Dr. Chen Sikun; and Vice President Guo Aimin. Also at the meeting were the Director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Department (ICED), William Lu; Vice President of the Sias Foundation, Andrea Connor; Head of Special Projects, Wayne Wang, and Guy Armstrong, CEO of Ascend International.

Dr. Shawn Chen spoke of the founding and growth of Sias and its focus on future developments. He also spoke of Sias' liberal arts education, cultural environment, and extracurricular activities.

The delegation then proceeded to the 7th floor for further talks with a number of deans of schools including Vice-Dean of the Business School, Andrew Zhao; Dean of the School of Journalism, Jia Shiqiu; Dean of the School of Nursing, Bai Qin; Dean of the Academic Affairs, Wang Xiaoquan; Dean of the School of International Education, Jing Liying; Director of ICED, William Lu; and Coordinator of International Programs, Gavin Chen.

The discussions centered around the establishment of joint and dual degree programs between the two universities, such as 2+2 degrees (2 years at Sias, and 2 years at HPU), 2+3 degrees, and 1+1 Master's degrees. These foreign degrees would demand improved second-language skills for students from both universities. There was also talk of possible HPU courses being instituted at Sias, along with professor exchanges from both sides. Dr. Liao-Troth said that he hoped that an academic cooperation agreement would be in place soon.

Hawai'i Pacific University was founded in 1965 and is Hawai'i's leading private, non-profit university with nearly 7,000 students. It is also one of the most culturally diverse universities in the USA, with students from nearly 80 countries. It is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and the National League for Nursing.

Dr. Liao-Troth and William Lu at the Sias-Amidi Incubation Center

Dr. Liao-Troth, and Dr. Crown at the Sias-Amidi Incubation Center

Campus tour

Campus tour

The meeting on the 8th floor of the Administration Building

Dr. Liao-Troth and Dr. Shawn Chen

(L-R) Andrea Connor, Dr. Crown, Dr. Liao-Troth, Dr. Shawn Chen, Guy Armstrong, Dr. Chen Sikun, Guo Aimin

The meeting on the 7th floor of the administration building with the deans of 4 schools

Guo Aimin, Dr. Shawn Chen, and Dr. Chen Sikun

Dr. Crown, Dr. Liao-Troth, William Lu, and Gavin Chen

The meeting on the 7th floor

Guo Aimin, Dr. Liao-Troth, Dr. Shawn Chen, and Dr. Crown