WCU and China university extend partnership

CHESTER COUNTY

WCU and China university extend partnership

WEST CHESTER West Chester University and Guizhou University in China extended their partnership by three years, which could lead to more collaboration and student and faculty exchanges, West Chester University officials said.

Officials of the two universities signed an agreement last week at West Chester.

The university is planning a faculty and student exchange in early 2015. It will host 10 to 12 Guizhou students during summer sessions next year.

Peter Loedel, director of West Chester University's Center for International Programs, has appealed to Chinese students at expos in Beijing and Shanghai.

"For China, we are employing an interconnected strategy of outreach: attract students; establish faculty/students exchanges; open doors for faculty-led programs abroad," Loedel said in a statement. "We will create additional high-impact learning experiences."

Officials from the two universities discussed a partnership that would bring Guizhou students to West Chester for their final year with hopes they would enter the university's graduate programs, West Chester University officials said. They also discussed development of a faculty committee focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to explore research partnerships with Guizhou. - Michaelle Bond