A quarter-century of collaborative brilliance, forging a new chapter in global education. On the morning of May 24, the 25th Anniversary High-Quality Development Promotion Conference on Joint Education Program between Sias University and Fort Hays State University & The 22nd Homecoming Day Celebration was held at Instruction Opera House Theater.
The event gathered a distinguished international audience including Kansas State Senators Rick Billinger and Michael Fagg; Dr. Tisa Mason, President of FHSU; Mr. Christopher Green, Consul General of the United States in Wuhan; Mr. Liang Jieyi, Director of the Foreign Affairs Office of Henan Provincial People’s Government; Wu Gaolin, Chairman of Hong Kong Intellectual Property Exchange; Mr. Alan Brown, Former Chairman of Sias Foundation; Ms. Wang Huaxing, Director of the Office of International Cooperation Cooperation and Exchange, Department of Education; Mr. Michael Fett, CFO and CAO of Southwest Behavioral Healthcare Center（US）; Mr. Dashdori Yagaan, Founder of Orkhon Kasu School (Mongolia); Ms. Wu Wei, Secretary of the Party Committee and Dean of Mengxiancheng College of East China Normal University; Dr. Zhang Xiuli, Vice President and doctoral supervisor of Zhengzhou University, Sport College; leaders from 31 Henan universities' international offices, participants of the 2nd Chinese Speaking Competition for International Students in Henan Province, Sias 2025 International Summer Camp delegates from 16 nations, 2025 Sias Intercontinental Basketball Tournament athletes, Dr. Shawn Chen, Founder and Chairman of Sias University, Sias leaderships, returning alumni, and parent representatives. Ma Jiansheng, Secretary of the CPC Sias Committee, presided over the conference.
The event commenced with the solemn Chinese national anthem. In his address, Dr. Chen reviewed the 25-year educational partnership, emphasizing adherence to the "East meets West, integrating knowledge with practice" ethos. He highlighted innovations in talent cultivation, curriculum internationalization, and educational ecosystem integration, which have produced globally competent graduates with cross-cultural understanding and professional excellence. This anniversary marks not only a milestone but also a new starting point for high-quality development, with Sias committed to contributing wisdom and strength to national education advancement.
Dr. Tisa Mason expressed pride in the U.S.-China academic collaboration rooted in the Henan-Kansas sister-state relationship. By integrating educational traditions, the partnership has provided transformative academic growth, career development, and cultural exchange opportunities for thousands, strengthening people-to-people bonds. She looks forward to expanding this impact through continued cooperation.
Mr. Wang Baodong, Chinese Consul General in Chicago, delivered a video address, commending the program's achievements in educational integration and reform. He encouraged both institutions to leverage their strengths, nurture talent, and inject new vitality into the Henan-Kansas friendship while supporting stable U.S.-China relations.
Ms. Wang Huaxing, representing Education Department of Henan Province, congratulated Sias-FHSU partnership on its 25th anniversary. She emphasized Henan's commitment to educational openness and high-level international cooperation, urging Sias to leverage its unique Sino-American advantages, integrate quality resources, and cultivate patriotic, globally competent professionals with innovative spirit and social responsibility.
During the conference, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Sias and Southwest Behavioral Healthcare Center CFO Michael Fett, solidifying future collaborative intentions.
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary celebration, Dr. Blake Flanders, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Kansas Board of Regents; Ms. Sandra Jacobs, Mayor of Hays; Ms. Olga Dietrich, Chair of the Hays Sister Cities Commission; and Ms. Barb Wasinger, Kansas State Representative have all extended their congratulations through letters, praising this program as an exemplary model of international educational cooperation.
The cultural performance segment featured vibrant dance numbers including "Splendid Flowers in Bloom," “Dance with Gorgeous Color,” “Soaring Dragons, Leaping Tigers,” “Seek the Origin & Books Gather Fragrance,” “Harmonious Home," “Oriental Jasmine,” and others, showcasing Sias students' vitality and the university's distinctive educational achievements.
As we celebrate past glories and embrace today's success, the partnership stands at a new 25-year milestone. Committed to mutual benefit and high-quality development, both institutions aim to pioneer new frontiers in international education and make greater contributions to global educational advancement.
