Attendees from UIC and Trinity University at the symposium on US and Chinese Models of Liberal Arts and Science Education
A UIC delegation was invited by the Associated Colleges of the South (ACS), a consortium of 16 liberal arts colleges in the US, to explore collaborative ties. UIC visited three of the ACS member institutions between 17 and 25 April.
The delegates discussed exchange opportunities and collaborative projects with Hendrix College, Conway, Arkansas; Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas; Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina; and Birmingham Southern College, Birmingham, Alabama.
President of the ACS Dr Owen Williams accompanied the delegation on most of the trip and invited UIC to consider being a part of ACS teaching and learning initiatives.
UIC President Prof Ng Ching-Fai (right) and President of the ACS Dr Owen Williams exchange gifts
The delegates’ first port of call was Hendrix College. They witnessed the inauguration of William Tsutsui as the new President of the college before having meetings with him and staff members of the college.
Dean of UIC’s Division of Humanities and Social Sciences as well as Chairperson of the Committee for International Development, Prof Mei-hwa Sung, welcomed interested faculty to exchange especially for programmes in the area of international relations, literature and multiculturalism.
President Ng with Dr William Tsutsui, President of Hendrix College
Highlights also included a symposium in which all the UIC delegates and Trinity University counterparts shared ideas on US and Chinese models of Liberal Arts and Science Education.
Gift exchange with Dr Michael Fischer, Interim President of Trinity University
The UIC delegates then visited Davidson College and met with academic, co-curricular and student panels.
Gift exchange with Dr Carol Quillen, President of Davidson College
President Ng and student leaders at Davidson College
In addition, they learned about Birmingham Southern College and its urban environmental studies programme through a video conference.
On 26 May 2014, some professors from the ACS member institutions attended a forum on ecological civilisation and higher education at UIC. Following their stay on UIC campus, Dr Owen Williams extended an invitation to UIC President Prof Ng Ching-Fai to visit the ACS.
Besides Prof Ng Ching-Fai and Prof Mei-hwa Sung, the UIC delegates included Associate Vice President Prof Lilian Kwan, Dean of the Division of Business and Management Prof Stella Cho, Dean of the Division of Science and Technology Prof Stephen Chung, Director of Whole Person Education Office Dr Haipeng Guo, and Director of International Development Office Dr Katharina Yu.
At the other end of the US, UIC has developed a strong partnership with the Minnesota Private College Council since 2007 in exchange programmes, summer programmes, intern programmes, liberal arts forums and more.
Reporter: Deen He
(from MPRO, with special thanks to Dr Katharina Yu and Samuel Burgess)
