Michigan-China University Leadership Forum

Background
During President Mary Sue Coleman’s trip to China in June 2005, she met with officials from the Chinese Ministry of Education (MOE). They requested that the University of Michigan host a two-week forum for Chinese higher education leaders on the management of world-class research universities. They said that Chinese universities have much in common with U.S. public research universities, and the Forum offered formative exchanges over the philosophy, politics and procedures of public universities.

The inaugural Forum took place from May 13 to May 27, 2006. Twenty-five Chinese university presidents and higher education leaders, including Madame WU Qidi, Vice Minister of Education, participated in the programs.

2008 Forum

President Coleman hosted the 2008 Forum in May 11-25. The Forum was once again coordinated by Dr. Constance Cook, Director of the Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT) and Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. A large UM team assisted with various aspects of the Forum, and about 150 UM faculty, administrators and students met with the delegation during their visit. The 2008 Forum adopted an additional emphasis on issues related to the University Research Corridor. As a result, Michigan State University and Wayne State University also sponsored the Forum, and the Chinese delegates attended sessions at these two universities and visited the Michigan State Legislature.