Educational Alliances under the One Belt and One Road (OBOR) Initiative: University Partnerships

Geographically OBOR structured with 7 routes: 6 land corridors and 1 maritime silk road New Eurasian Land Bridge, running from Western China to Western Russia through Kazakhstan 2. Northern China to Eastern Russia 3. China– Central Asia –West Asia Corridor, running from Western China to Turkey China–Indochina Peninsula Corridor, running from Southern China to Singapore 5. China–Myanmar–Bangladesh–India Corridor, running from Southern China to Myanmar China–Pakistan Corridor, running from South-Western China to Pakistan 7. Maritime Silk Road, running from the Chinese Coast through Singapore to the Mediterranean

China President Xi Jinping proclaimed a strategic and economic agenda to foster connectivity and cooperation between China, Asia, Europe and Africa. Announced in September 2013 at Nazarbayev University in the capital of Kazakhstan One Belt – land-based Silk Road Economic Belt One Road – maritime Silk Road Covers more than 68 countries OBOR oriented to: Trade and investment Infrastructure development People-to-people connections

Education Action Plan for OBOR Mission Educational exchange can serve as a bridge to closer ties and achieve positive efforts of these countries toward policy coordination, connectivity of infrastructure, unimpeded trade, and financial integration. Vision 1. Promote closer people-to-people ties Priorities To improve educational interconnectivity Cultivation and training of talent To set up concrete mechanisms of cooperation 2. Cultivate supporting talent 3. Achieve common development

Grmany United Kingdom Belarus Ireland Russia Poland Ukraine Kazakhstan Denmark Belarus Ireland Russia Poland Netherlands Grmany Ukraine Austria Kazakhstan France Mongolia Romaoia Italy Spain Uzbekistan Kyfgyzstan Greece Turkey Portugal Turkmenistan Tajikistan Afghanistan Morocco Iraq Iran China Pakistan Nepal Egypt Mali Thailand Vietnam Philippines Guinea Nigeria Ethiopia Ghana Somalia Kenya Indonesia DR Congo Tanzania Angola Zambia Mozambique Namibia Zimbabwe Botawana

China Cities on the Silk Road with Sister City Partners

So…Where is FHSU?

Approved for Dual Bachelor’s Degree by Chinese MOE in 2000

Cross Border Partnerships FHSU was first approved by MOE in 2000 Sias International College of Zhengzhou University--2001 Shenyang Normal University--2003 Graduated 10,000 students 20 years of experience We send faculty across the border to live and teach

Shenyang Normal University Shenyang Northwest University of Politics and Law Xian NW U. of Nationalities; Lanzhou U of Fin. & Economics; Qinghai University Of Nationalities; Xinjiang Normal Univ. 13 Universities Shenyang Tianjin Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou Sias International University Xinzheng Hangzhou Beijing Normal University Zhuhai Campus Zhuhai 10

Two University Alliances--OBOR Two University Alliances Along OBOR have developed: Centered on Xi’an, Shaanxi Province Centered on Lanzhou, Gansu Province Why? Gansu has been funded by Chinese MOE Why opportunities for educational alliances with China? 134 Confucius Institutes and 130 Confucius Classrooms in 51 countries along the OBOR Countries Around 60% of Chinese Government Scholarships in 2016 were awarded to students from OBOR countries.

University of Alliance of Belt & Road Focused on Gansu Province—All 55 minorities represented in Gansu 150 Members 4 from U.S. --All from State of Oklahoma, plus FHSU Fort Hays State University 147th Member Go West Policy of PRC expanded opportunities and FHSU was one of the first Universities in the West. Gansu Education Commission offered FHSU to be a member. No Charge for Members Annual Conference 2017—Held in Dunghuang--Grottos 2018—Will be Held in Lanzhou in September

University Alliance of Belt and Road MOU States that the Fields of Cooperation Include: Talent Cultivation Construct courses Introduce Advanced Curriculum Teaching materials Evaluation Methods Improve Teaching Methods Promote Mutual Credit Recognition Scientific Research Research on major theoretical and practical problems Basic Scientific Studies Key Technological Know-Hows Discipline Construction Construct First Class Disciplines and Courses Fill in the gaps of weak subjects Mutual Discipline Evaluation Teacher Training Organize Teacher communication, exchange and training Programs Share Knowledge and Technology OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD ADDITIONAL MOUS WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ALLIANCE

University Alliance of Belt and Road Methods of Cooperation Student Exchange Scientific Research Projects Jointly Construct Scientific Research Base, University Think Tank Build Alliance of Specific Subjects Carry Out Jointly Run, Dual -Degree Programs and Joint-Degree Programs Promote Key Projects

2nd One--University Alliance of Silk Road Focus on Xi’an-Started First 135 Universities 36 Countries By end of 2016, 4 joint ventures 98 education projects in 14 countries Student Exchanges; Joint Research; Credit Recognition Sister Schools; Language Courses Confucius Institutes and Classrooms Yet, I am told they haven’t received any government funding.

Cindy’s Vision for Educational Cooperation 4-Year, 4-Country Degree Program One year in 4 different countries—including USA Enhance Student Mobility English Plus Other Languages Possibly Degree in Global Citizen Diplomacy—or Other Program (Water Diplomacy and Peace) Students could be in a Cohort Sister Cities Should Be A Part Tour Organized by SCI—June 2019 along the Silk Road—Clare Petrich

Ultimate Outcome Internationalization of student body Platform to build ties Increase of student mobility Increase awareness of OBOR countries in China and of China in the OBOR areas…among students and faculty Cultural Experience Language Learning and Practice Sharing Experience

Questions?

Welcome Our Guests from China Felicia Sophie Darren English Professors from Sias International University Henan Province

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Turn to Our Guests From Xinzheng China Sister City of Hays, KS—About 10 years 25 English Teachers at Sias International University Here for 3 Weeks for Teacher Training on new ESL curriculum Welcome: Felicia; Sophie; Darren We want to ask them about their perspective of the OBOR Initiative