Chairman Wang piloted the delegation to KUSA to embark on a new chapter of educational cooperation

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Wenzhou-Kean University, Wang Beijiao, along with representatives, visited Kean University to embark on a five-day exchange tour. The reciprocal universities connected on a deeper level for future collaboration through a series of events, including the offline Board of Directors Meeting, China-US Sister Cities Dialogue, and a dinner celebrating the 10th anniversary of Wenzhou-Kean University’s establishment.

Talks of Development on the KUSA Campus

The Board of Directors met for the first time this year on the KUSA campus since convening at WKU last November. Chairman Wang Beijiao, WKU Board members Zhuang Xingzhong, Ye Xiaodong, Upendra Chivukula, Alexander Mirabella, Joan Verplanck and Elnardo Webster attended the meeting.

The Board of Directors Meeting

Chaired by Mr. Wang Beijiao, the meeting discussed important issues regarding faculty recruitment, exchange programs and future cooperative opportunities in WKU’s future development. Chairman Wang highlighted the achievements of WKU since its commencement in 2014. He also reported to the board on mutual exchanges, discipline establishment, scientific and technological innovation, talent cultivation, faculty-student services and community outreach.

Kean University President Lamont Repollet welcomed the delegation and gave special accolades on the exchange programs and Presidential Scholarships. He mentioned the letter from Wenzhou Party Committee Secretary Zhang Zhenfeng and expressed gratitude for Secretary Zhang’s keen interest in cooperative education between the two universities.

China-U.S. Sister Cities Dialogue

The delegation led by the Deputy Chairman of the Wenzhou Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Chen Shengfeng, arrived at Kean University during Chairman Wang's visit, and the two delegations met for a conversation of cooperation between The City of Wenzhou and Union County.

Sister Cities Dialogue

Lin Jianhai (Former Secretary of the International Monetary Fund), Geng Junwei and Qing Qilun (Consuls of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in New York), Ye Yan (Publicity Department of CPC Wenzhou Committee Deputy Minister), Xu Shaoce (Wenzhou Municipal Commission of Development and Reform Deputy Director), Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded (Chairwomen of the Board of Union County Commissioners) and Ed Oatman (Union County Manager) attended the meeting.

County Manager Oatman expressed his congratulatory sentiments on the 10th anniversary of WKU’s establishment. He wishes to see Wenzhou and Union continue their relationship through collaborations in business and education on the 25th anniversary of the sister cities’ relationship.

Deputy Chairman Chen Shenfeng anticipates that Wenzhou and Union will further strengthen their ties through industrial cooperation, enhanced educational exchanges, and facilitate the high-level facilitation of Wenzhou-Kean University’s operation, enhancing cultural integration and promoting exchanges in the fields of humanities and arts.

President Repollet shared his commitment to supporting the development of WKU and promoting it to become the backbone of local economic and cultural development.

Sino-US Celebration of Ten Years Together

That night, Chinese delegates were joined by Union County community members to a banquet dinner held on the Kean University campus to commemorate WKU's 10th anniversary of establishment.

The Banquet Dinner

In his remarks, Chairman Wang Beijiao points out that Wenzhou-Kean University has become more than an educational institution but also a bridge connecting the peoples of China and the United States. So far, 1,700 students have benefited from the exchange program between the two universities. In the future, WKU will continue to promote and strengthen friendship and cooperation between China and the United States.

Board of County Commissioners Chairwoman Palmieri-Mouded read congratulatory letters on behalf of the county government, while Deputy Chairman Chen Shenfeng presented gifts to Kean University and Union County on behalf of the Municipal Government of Wenzhou.

Translator: Yifei DING, Wenwei XIANG

Proofreader: Ken Wade