News Archives - 2007

Twenty-five Chinese students and two faculty leaders from the United International College (UIC) arrived on the Augsburg College campus Sunday, July 9, for a four-day program. Their visit was part of a 30 day learning experience hosted by Augsburg and five other colleges. The program is the initiation of student exchange programs between the new Chinese university and six members of the Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC): Augsburg College, Bethany Lutheran, Gustavus Adolphus, Concordia College Moorhead, and Hamline University. The partnership between Augsburg College and UIC may include faculty and staff exchanges as well as study abroad programs for students.

UIC holds the distinction of being the first liberal arts college to be established in China. Located in the southeastern part of the country, near Macao and Hong Kong, the new university opened last spring and now has 1,200 students and 11 majors. Enrollment is expected to grow to 4,000 undergraduates and 500 graduate students.

A first-of-its-kind in mainland China, where higher education typically focuses on technical and engineering subjects, the college has a liberal arts focus and a vision for global education. It is reaching out to universities around the world. Augsburg and the other participating members of the MPCC are among the first American universities to partner with the new Chinese college.

Photo: While visiting Augsburg, students from China spent an afternoon touring the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.