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University of Michigan and China: Moving Forward Together


The relationship between the University of Michigan and China dates back to the mid 1850s, when a member of the Class of 1845 traveled to China as a missionary. In the ensuing 160 years, there have been periods of both decline and renewal of relationships between the University and China, much like the relationship between the United States and China. Today, the University of Michigan enjoys strong partnerships with Chinese institutions of higher education and continues to strengthen its leadership position in Chinese studies as well as in research and teaching exchanges with its Chinese collaborators.

Prominent Chinese Graduates:  

  • CHEN Zuohuang (陈佐湟-指挥家、国家大剧院音乐艺术总监): Music Director, China National Theatre for the Performing Arts. PhD 1985  
  • HE Yizhen (何怡贞-物理学家、中国第一位物理学女博士): China’s first female PhD in physics. PhD 1937                                           
  • Henry Tang (唐英年-香港特别行政区政务司司长): Chief Secretary for Administration, Hong Kong. BA 1985
  • Samuel C. C. Ting (丁肇中-物理学家): Physicist, Nobel Laureate. Undergraduate and Doctoral Studies. BS 1959 and PhD 1962
  • John C.H. Wu (吴经熊 - 著名法学家): Legal scholar, poet, writer. JD 1921
  • Ta-You Wu (吴大猷-中国物理学之父): Physicist; former President, Academia Sinica. PhD 1933
  • WU Yi-Fang (吴贻芳-中国第一位大学女校长): First female college president in China (Ginling College). PhD 1928
  • ZHANG Cunhao (张存浩-化学家): Chemist; President, National Natural Science Foundation of China. MS 1950
  • ZHU Guangya (朱光亚-化学家): Physicist; Founding President, Chinese Academy of Engineering. PhD 1950

Major Partnerships:

  • University of Michigan – Fudan University Joint Institute for Gender Studies
  • University of Michigan - Peking University Joint Institute
  • University of Michigan - Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute

The Center for Chinese Studies:
Founded in 1961, the Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Michigan is one of the leading centers dedicated to the study of China. Three past directors or affiliated faculty of the Center have served as Special Advisors to the President of the United States on national security and foreign policy. They are Richard Solomon, senior staff member for Asian affairs on the National Security Council under President Nixon, Michel Oksenberg, senior staff member for Asian affairs at the National Security Council under President Carter, and Kenneth Lieberthal, Special Assistant to the President for Asia, National Security Council under President Clinton.

Number of current Center faculty associates: 32
Number of courses with significant China content during Winter 2010 term (not including language training): 31

The Confucius Institute at the University of Michigan (CI-UM):
Co-sponsored by the Office of the Chinese Language Council International (Hanban) and the University of Michigan, and supported by a partnership with the Renmin University of Beijing, China, CI-UM  was launched in November 2009 to promote China’s arts and cultures within the U-M community and beyond, providing sites and activities for students, faculty, staff, and other community members to experience China’s finest expressions in architecture, calligraphy, ceramics, dance, music, painting, theatre, and other media, and to gain understandings about Chinese people and their cultures. 

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