University of Applied Sciences Wildau's First Step to China

[idw]

In November 2007 the University of Applied Sciences Wildau (UAS Wildau) completed a comprehensive agreement on academic exchange and cooperation with a Chinese university. The president of the Lanzhou City University, Prof. Kong Qinghao, and the vice president of the UAS Wildau Prof. Herbert Sonntag, signed the cooperation agreement in a festive ceremony at the campus in Lanzhou.





The story began in April 2007. A high-ranking Chinese delegation from Lanzhou/Gansu province was interested in setting up cooperation between Chinese and German universities. Dr. Jürgen Wagenmann, professor in the faculty of Business, Administration and Law at UAS Wildau and board member of the German-Asian Business Circle, Frankfurt/M., introduced the UAS Wildau to the Chinese. The delegation was cordially received by Prof. Dr. Herbert Sonntag, vice president of UAS Wildau. The following introduction of UAS Wildau and discussion of basic cooperation ideas was successful; the two delegations were highly interested in their respective education systems, education methods and faculties.


Two months later UAS Wildau received an invitation from the Lanzhou City University (LZCU) to discuss concrete cooperation between the two universities. After three months of intensive preparation work, at the end of October Prof. Sonntag and Prof. Wagenmann travelled to China to visit Lanzhou City University.


The UAS Wildau delegates were received by Prof. Kong Qinghao, president of the LZCU, the four vice presidents Liu Juke, Zhang Xingfu, Ma Zhenlin and Liang Yantang, Laitao Zhang from the International Exchange Office and six colleagues from several offices and departments. The welcome and hospitality was overwhelming; the program for the visit was marvelous. Prof. Sonntag: "We didn't expect this cordial and intensive hospitality, the Germans can take a leaf out of the Chinese book."


The schedule during the following three days included a campus tour, introductions, and discussions and negotiations to prepare the Agreement on Academic Exchange and Cooperation. Prof. Kong Qinghao and Prof. Sonntag closed the agreement in a signing ceremony. "This agreement is one further step towards an international orientation of both universities and will support today's need for international academic education of our students," Prof Kong Qinghao stated.


The agreement includes student exchange on three levels:
o 1 - 2 semesters as visiting students without a final degree from the host university
o Last 2 bachelor semesters including double bachelor degree from both universities
o 4 semester master program for the LZCU students at UAS Wildau.


The cooperation will start with International Business, Management & Finance, planned for winter semester 2008. Further degrees will follow quickly thereafter.


Now some facts about Lanzhou and the LZCU:
LZCU is located in Lanzhou, the capital of the Gansu Province, about two hours flight southwest of Beijing. It lies along the path of the Silk Road on the banks of the Yellow River. The City has a population of 3.2 million; its major industries include nonferrous metallurgy, machinery manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. Furthermore it is a petrochemical base and home to PetroChina Co. Ltd.'s largest refinery in western China. LZCU is composed of three campuses spread over the city with approximately 11,000 students, 658 full-time teaching staff members, among them 282 professors and associate professors. They offer 59 courses of study in natural sciences, engineering, economics and arts. The education concept is practically orientated comparable to UAS Wildau.


"Since entering WTO on 11 Dec. 2001 China has developed to become a main world market player with breathtaking speed," Prof. Wagenmann stated, "and this rapid development is still going on. We should not ignore the clearly foreseeable consequences for German foreign trade." China is the country with the world's largest population - 1.3 billion - and with a stunning sustained GDP growth of 10 - 11 % p.a. during the last 5 years. It is ranked as the world's third most important export nation already, and for Germany it is the third most important trade partner in imports. "We have to prepare our students for this future world market," Prof. Sonntag said, "and UAS Wildau is one of the very few German universities offering this chance to its students."


Cooperation with some more universities in the Far East region is planned, both in China and in some ASEAN countries.


For more information please contact


Prof. Dr. Jürgen Wagenmann
Technische Fachhochschule Wildau
University of Applied Sciences
Fachbereich Wirtschaft-Verwaltung-Recht
Business, Administration and Law Faculty


Bahnhofstraße
15745 Wildau
GERMANY


Fon: +49 3375 508-207
Fax: +49 3375 508-566
Email: juergen.wagenmann@tfh-wildau.de


Weitere Informationen:
- http://www.tfh-wildau.de

Quelle: idw