Partnership brings China to EMU
The Eastern Michigan College of Business (COB) has entered a new partnership with the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) in Maco, China.
“One way of building [an] environment here is to get our students to think a little more broadly,” David Mielke, dean of EMU’s College of Business said.
The partnership will bring the first group of MUST students, who come from 26 provinces in China, to EMU in the fall of this year. Students who complete the program will receive a bachelor’s of business administration degree from EMU.
Amelia Chan, assistant dean of undergraduate programs at the COB, said students who follow the 2 2 articulation agreement would complete the first two years of coursework at MUST, then transfer to EMU to complete the last two years of study. Macau students must complete all of EMU’s general education and COB requirements to be granted the Bachelor of Business Administration degree from EMU.
“I will be advising students who have applied to EMU for fall 2007, when I travel to Macau in March,” Chan said. “While there, I will also be recruiting and promoting our business programs to other interested freshmen and sophomores.”
Edward Keck, a business major, applauded EMU’s effort to bring a different culture to its campus.
“I think any time students get a chance to study with another culture, it is a positive thing,” Keck said. “This agreement will broaden my thinking about business ventures.”
On a recent trip to Macau, Mielke received more interest from students than expected when he entered an auditorium of 250 students eager to join the program.
“I expected to meet 20 to 30 students…The students’ biggest concern was how many we would accept into this program,” Mielke said. “I don’t hear our students thinking about studying abroad… I hope the students from China will help them broaden their expectations,” Mielke said.
Chan said China is a major participant and competitor in the global economy.
“Since this type of exchange usually leads to EMU/MUST faculty exchanges, this will create new opportunities for COB faculty to have direct experience, which could be shared through consulting Michigan business on economic development and global marketing,” Chan said.
The new partnership with China is the second international connection for the COB. The COB also has a duel undergraduate degree program with Keimyung University in Daegu, Korea.