Southern Illinois University Carbondale is celebrating the 30th anniversary of a partnership with Northeast Normal University in China, and hoping to expand the collaboration in the future.
A delegation from NENU is visiting Carbondale this week, and representatives from SIU spent time in China last month. Chancellor Rita Cheng says the sharing of information between the two schools is critical not just in education, but in foreign relations: "What we are celebrating is 30 years of trust, mutual respect, and friendship. We believe this sends an important message to the world about how much we can accomplish together."
Likewise, NENU President Liu Yichun says the partnership has greatly enhanced both schools:
"It's very important for my university's development. Also, I think, for China and USA to set up a bridge for people, teachers and scientists to cooperate, to understand, is a very important task."
Roughly 100 students from NENU have earned SIU degrees as a result of the partnership. The collaboration is the longest among between SIU and any other international institution.
