Stepping into a new era of international academic collaboration, UIC unveiled the UIC Boston Center on 16th January 2025, Boston local time. The Center is home to the Institute of Life and Art, the Whitehead Research Center, and the UIC Alumni Association of America. Its core mission is to foster robust international partnerships and interdisciplinary amalgamation in education between UIC and the surrounding region.
The unveiling ceremony of UIC Boston Center
"The Center will serve as a hub to enhance academic exchanges, strengthen research partnerships, and broaden educational resources," said UIC President Prof Chen Zhi during the opening ceremony. "It will create mutual benefits for education and research between China and the US."
Institute of Life and Art is unveiled during the ceremony
Whitehead Research Center is unveiled during the ceremony
Boston, a beacon of intellect, houses numerous prestigious institutions shaping global education. Last July, Prof Chen led a delegation to visit six universities in Boston, exploring new opportunities for collaboration.
"Looking ahead, we envision the Boston Center as the first step in establishing more centers in major global cities like Hong Kong, London, and Sydney, tapping into the strength of the UIC community to amplify our global impact," Prof Chen said.
Founded in 2005, UIC is the first full-scale collaboration in higher education between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong that upholds liberal arts education. It has adhered to international standards and is dedicated to fostering high-calibre academic performance.
Reflecting on UIC's journey, Hong Kong Baptist University Provost Prof Martin Wong said that the UIC Boston Center represents a significant milestone, serving as a global link for liberal arts education and cross-border collaboration in a city renowned for education and innovation. "This Center is more than a physical space; it represents a commitment to global engagement, liberal arts education, and the exchange of ideas," he said.
Education Counselor at the Chinese Consulate General in New York Mr Yu Yougen remarked that the UIC Boston Center serves as a bridge for communication with American higher education, fostering US-China educational exchanges and providing a platform for comprehensive interactions.
Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York Ms Maisie Ho said that the establishment of the Boston Center showcases UIC's commitment to excellence in education, research, international cooperation, and interdisciplinary development, providing a wider platform for students from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong to engage with global academic disciplines, while promoting cultural understanding through academic exchanges.
Exchanging MoUs with two universities
Before the Center was established, UIC had already woven an international network with numerous local partners, including Harvard University, where UIC had organized an academic conference in September 2024.
Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Professor of Asian Art at Harvard University and Co-Director of UIC Boston Center Eugene Wang, said the UIC Boston Center is a significant platform for experimenting with new academic disciplines amidst technological challenges and encouraging innovative and critical thinking.
Vice Chancellor (Student Affairs) of the University of Massachusetts Dr Karen Ferrer-Muñiz expressed her expectation for the future partnership with UIC, and the Center will facilitate more communication and collaboration between the two institutions.
During the opening ceremony of the Center, UIC further expanded its network by exchanging Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with two renowned American institutions: Northeastern University and Brandeis University, symbolising UIC's continuous pursuit of international cooperation and academic excellence.
"The signing of the MoUs lays the foundational framework for future specific collaborations in academics, culture, and education," said Director of UIC Boston Center Prof Guo Haipeng, solidifying UIC's commitment to fostering international partnerships and exchange.
MoUs exchange between UIC and Northeastern University
Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities at the Northeastern University Prof Kellee Tsai expressed her high hopes to the partnerships, and believed that students would be more well-prepared to be global citizens with the establishment of the Center.
MoUs exchange between UIC and Brandeis University
Dean of Brandeis International Business School Prof Kathryn Graddy said that through these endeavours, UIC is not only contributing to the advancement of education but also fostering unity and understanding among people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
UIC Alumni Association of America established
The UIC Alumni Association of America debuted on the same day, with UIC alumni from all over the US gathering in Boston. As an integral part of the Boston Center, the Alumni Association aims to strengthen the connection and communication between UIC and its alumni in the United States.
UIC graduate Shao Chenhan of the Class of 2020 is a PhD student at the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She said she was greatly impressed by the establishment of the Center and deeply appreciated UIC's educational experience, which fostered her mindset of integrating knowledge with action.
President of the UIC Alumni Association of America Lu Shan sees the Boston Center as a dynamic hub where alumni can reminisce about their UIC days, share experiences from studying abroad and job hunting, and even collaborate with local partners to uncover new opportunities for growth and development.
From MPRO
Reporter: Cecilia Yu, Koga Song
Photos provided by Chen Zhenxin
Content contributor: Chen Ganqing, Liu Ling, Pan Lingxiao, Zheng Yaxi
