Two groups of visitors from seven different provinces in China arrived in Charlotte this week as part of trip to the United States coordinated by the University’s Center for China Studies.
According to Paul Friday, director of the China Center and a professor of criminal justice and criminology at UNC Charlotte, the visit includes two separate and independent groups.
"We are happy that UNC Charlotte has become a major destination in the United States for Chinese academic, governmental and private enterprises," said Friday.
He said the delegation from Xuzhou Institute of Technology (XZIT) is making an initial outreach visit to discuss the opportunity for XZIT students to participate in the proposed UNC Charlotte Summer Academy for Chinese students in 2012. Other topics include discussion of undergraduate exchanges and XZIT graduates applying to UNC Charlotte graduate programs.
The XZIT delegation is headed by Deputy President Hao Chaojun. He was accompanied by other dignitaries, includingGao Wenju, dean chief of the President’s Office; Zhang Benye deputy dean of studies; Liu Ning, deputy dean of School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, XZIT; Shangguan Jingzhi, dean of Graduate School of Economic Management,XZIT; and Zhu Jiong , deputy dean of School of Civil Engineering, XZIT. This delegation was on campus for two days.
A second delegation from the International Office of the China Work Safety Administration also visited this week. Associate Director of the China Center Qingli Meng has worked for more than two years to coordinate this second of two training programs on emergency support and new technology. The first group visited campus in December 2011.
This year’s delegation, led by Wu Weilong, deputy director of the Anhui Coal Mine Safety Supervisory Board, included the directors from different provincial work safety administrations and managers of major coal mine and energy companies as well as a representative of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs.
The emergency response group will participate in a three-week training session, starting with one week at UNC Charlotteharlotte. They will attend lectures and demonstrations from professors in criminal justice, political science, public administration, the Transportation Center, computer science and the Department of Police and Public Safety, Meng said.
In addition, there will be demonstration by representatives of private industries in the Charlotte area that manufacture related equipment and a visit to Charlotte's one-of-a kind emergency medical hospital, Med1. Sharon Reed, chair of Charlotte's International Cabinet, will be part of the welcoming ceremonies.
Meng said the group also will attend the N.C. Mine Safety Conference, the National Mine Safety Training Academy, FEMA Training Academy and then spend three days in New York City to learn emergency responses for high-rise fires and lessons learned since 9/11 regarding emergency response technology. The group will conclude its training with similar arrangements in the Los Angeles area.
Photo: Chancellor Dubois, Provost Lorden and other University officials with one of the Chinese delegations.