Kettering University

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Seeking a presence in China - Page 2

"This entire trip was designed to explore the potential of collaborations in China," explained Provost Harris. "Kettering is serious about its commitment to President Liberty’s mission and vision in preparing leaders for a global society," he added.

The trip included two other signing ceremonies: one at Tongji University and one at Xi’an Polytechnic University in Xi’an, plus a new professional connection with Tsinghua University in Beijing. Harris said all the agreements will actively pursue exchange and research collaborations for graduate dual-degree and undergraduate exchange programs, and have a new focus on faculty-led study abroad sites.

Harris said Tongji was formerly Tongji German Medical School (founded 1907) and is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher learning in China. Engineering was added to the curriculum in 1912. It is one of the country’s leading universities under the State Ministry of Education in China, with more than 50,000 students. Tongji translates to "cooperating by riding the same boat," Harris explained.

Tsinghua University, located in the northwestern suburbs of Beijing, is a polytechnic university focused on Engineering that is developing at a "breathtaking pace" into a comprehensive research university. It has about 26,000 students and is known for fostering talent and scientific research.

"At Xi’an, there is a high interest in Kettering’s master of science in Engineering Management degree. Xi’an has been graduating engineers since 1912 and is considered a comprehensive Engineering university of strong reputation. We are the closest to having students go to Xi’an in an exchange program that is very similar to the German exchange program,” Harris said. “Kettering’s reputation for preparing executives in the automotive industry is very strong there.”

The highlight of the trip, however, came with the name recognition and international respect expressed during the visit to the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC). CATARC provides technical administration for the auto industry in China and is the country’s technical support organization for auto standards, technical regulations, product certification testing, quality systems, planning and policy research and information services. “They are interested in engaging us in their efforts for standardizing the automotive industry. They are not working with any other American university as of yet. This was the real prize that we found in China,” Harris said.

“There is no doubt China represents a huge opportunity for Kettering,” Harris added, noting that the number of people visiting Kettering’s website from China increased from 150 a month in 2007 to 5,500 a month in 2008. “We just need to go and take it,” he concluded.