Sias University and Fort Hays State University celebrate 20 years of cooperation-Sias University

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Sias University and Fort Hays State University celebrate 20 years of cooperation

May 21, 2022

The 20th anniversary celebrations of the cooperation between Sias University and Fort Hays State University were held on May 20. The celebration was held online and was presided over by Sias Vice President, and Chairman of the Trade Union, Wu Hua.

The chief guests included:

- the Vice Governor of the province of Henan, He Jinping,

- the Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary of Commerce of Kansas, David Toland,

- the Chinese Consul General in Chicago, Zhao Jian,

- the U.S. Consul General in Wuhan, Melissa Lan,

- the Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Henan Government, Liang Jieyi,

- the Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Henan, Li Bing,

- the Director of the European & American Department at the Foreign Affairs Office of Henan, Chen Wei,

- the Director of the International Division at the Kansas Department of Commerce, Jeff Willis,

- Project Director of the International Department, Jiang Shumei,

- Second Class Inspector at the Henan Department of Education, Liu Linya,

- the Director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Department at the Henan Department of Education, Wang Huaxing,

- the President and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents, Blake Flanders,

- the Chairman of the Research Branch of Sino-Foreign Cooperation at the Chinese Society of Higher Education, Lin Jinhui,

- the President of Fort Hays State University, Dr. Tisa Mason,

- the Founder, and Chairman of the Board of Sias, Dr. Shawn Chen.

Those in attendance watched a commemorative video of the 20th anniversary of the cooperation between Sias University and Fort Hays State University produced by the Sias News Center.

On behalf of the Governor of Henan, Wang Kai, the Vice Governor, He Jinping, congratulated the two universities on their partnership. He said that over the past 20 years Sias had become an important window for Henan's cooperation with the United States, an important bridge for the exchange of people and culture between Henan and Kansas, and an example of successful exchanges and cooperation in the field of education between China and the United States. He said that he hoped that Henan and Kansas would continue to work together and that Sias University would continue to be a model of educational cooperation between China and the United States.

The Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary of Commerce of Kansas, David Toland, conveyed Kansas Governor, Laura Kelly's wishes for the 20th anniversary and support for the cooperation between the two universities. He said that the long-term relationship between Kansas and Henan was a model of bilateral cooperation. He said that he hoped that the two universities would deepen mutual understanding and support one another in the promotion of friendly relations between China and the United States.

The Chinese Consul General in Chicago, Zhao Jian, spoke highly of the positive role played by the two universities in promoting Sino-U.S. educational cooperation and exchanges. He praised the cooperation and exchanges between the province of Henan and the state of Kansas over the past 40 years and said that he hoped that it would form the basis for a new and stable development of relations between China and the United States.

The U.S. Consul General in Wuhan, Melissa Lan, said that the 20-year journey of cooperation between Sias University and Fort Hays State University represented the efforts of both the United States and the People’s Republic of China to bring together the best of both nations’ educational philosophies. She also spoke of her appreciation of Sias' ‘East-meets-West’ educational philosophy and its positive benefits to all.

Dr. Shawn Chen expressed his gratitude to the various leaders and alumni who had supported the cause of Sino-U.S. cooperation at Sias. He said that with high-quality teachers and educational resources from China and the United States, the Kansas International School (KIS) at Sias University aimed to nurture talent with a global vision, patriotism, conscientiousness, and comprehensive quality. It aimed to be a pioneer of cooperative education in the Central Plains of China. He said that in the future, Sias will continue to deepen its cooperation with Fort Hays State University to produce high-quality graduates who are internationally competitive and have a strategic vision for the social and economic development of both China and the United States.

The President of Fort Hays State University, Dr. Tisa Mason, said that Sias University is a model of Sino-foreign cooperation. She praised the educational concept and the "integration of knowledge and practice". She said that the two universities were guiding generations of students to become global citizens who would shape the future of the world. As a tribute to the 20th anniversary of their cooperative relationship, Sias and Fort Hays will start the first batch of their joint MBA program this coming autumn.

It was followed by speeches by Liang Jieyi, Jeff Willis, Liu Linya, and Blake Flanders, who congratulated Sias University and Fort Hays State University and extended their support for the cooperation between the two universities, and the province of Henan and the state of Kansas.

There were also speeches by representatives of the Chinese faculty, U.S. faculty, Chinese students, and international students. They thanked both universities for the pragmatic vision and support given to faculty and students.

The celebration is not only for the achievements in educational cooperation over the past 20 years but also serves as a starting point for both sides to deepen cooperation and explore new avenues for innovation. Both Sias University and Fort Hays State University pledged to continue working together to nurture more international talent and contribute to the development of Xinzheng and Hays.

Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of cooperation between Sias University and Fort Hays State University