Fort Hays State University (FHSU) sent a delegation to Sias International University, including their new President, Dr. Mirta Martin, former President, Dr. Edward Hammond, and their Provost, Cindy Elliot. They held high-level talks with Sias President, Dr. Richard Li Hua, the Director of ICED, William Lu, and the Director of the Administrative Office, Zhao Fei.

After an initial presentation by William Lu about the history, development, and foundation of Sias, the delegation spoke of their vision for the future of Sias-FHSU ties.

President Li spoke about Sias' vision with regard to its East-meets-West philosophy, and soft-capacity building for the future. He spoke of his idea of establishing 3 Invisible Campuses of Internationalization, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. He expressed a desire to consolidate the existing friendship with FHSU and extend the collaboration to further streams beyond those that already exist. He also spoke about the possibility of joint research for innovation and the potential creation of a Sino-American Center for this purpose.

President Martin addressed the need to re-launch the Sias-FHSU relationship by establishing a strategic dialogue with two-way interactions, and bringing teams from both universities together for brainstorming. She spoke of her desire to position the two universities in a business-style partnership so that American and Chinese students would learn to do business together more than any other. This would require synthesis and molding of the re-launched relationship with a view to creating a seamless culture of understanding between American and Chinese students.

While agreeing that neither Sias, nor FHSU were research institutes, both presidents acknowledged the need for research for scholarship, innovation, and teaching. They also spoke of potential joint partnerships of investments in the future.

The Fort Hays delegation on a campus tour of Sias

(L - R) Former FHSU President, Dr. Edward Hammond, FHSU President Dr. Mirta Martin, FHSU Provost Cindy Elliot, and Sias President, Dr. Richard Li Hua

FHSU President Dr. Mirta Martin, and former FHSU President Dr. Edward Hammond at the Chinese Garden in Sias

The talks between the Sias hierarchy and the FHSU delegation

FHSU President, Dr. Mirta Martin, and Sias President, Dr. Richard Li Hua