cindy elliott - exploration and maintenance of international partnerships
DESCRIPTION
Cindy Elliott, Assistant Provost for Strategic and International Partnerships and Dean of Distance Learning, Fort Hays State University (FHSU) Exploration and Maintenance of International Partnerships Successful partnership development has been an essential part of the growth strategy for a small regional university in Kansas. Internet and other distance learning technologies have provided the means to connect students and faculty in China and elsewhere. This presentation will share how FHSU launched and continues to maintain hybrid dual bachelor’s degree programs in China, including lessons learned and recommendations for others desiring to work successfully in foreign countries. presentation at the 15th annual SLN SOLsummit 2014 February 28, 2014 http://slnsolsummit2014.edublogs.org/about/day-3/TRANSCRIPT
A Western Kansas University's Exploration and Maintenance of International
Partnerships
SLN SOLsummit 2014
Recipe for Success• Identify the Right Partners• Hire the Right Faculty• Recruit the Right Students• Select the Right Degree Programs• Commit to Providing the Necessary
Technology• Attention to Detail• Tweak Your Policies When You Need To• Don’t Give Up
Chinese Proverb # 1
An Old Horse Knows The Way
UNABLE TO
SPEAK Chines
e
Chinese Proverb #2
The Best Bet Always
Comes Unexpectedly
Serendipitous Event in 1999• Received Phone Call from Colleague• Said “yes”• Starting putting one step in front of the other• Committed to being flexible; Rewrote policies when
needed; established IEMG• Never sacrificed quality for flexibility• FHSU was first American University to offer joint
bachelor’s degree in mainland China.• FHSU was first University to bring Blackboard servers in
to mainland China.• Yet, almost every single day there is another conundrum
to solve.
Dr. Shawn ChenFounder of Sias International University, Xinzheng City, Henan Province
Chinese Proverb #3
You Cannot Clap With One Hand
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 20130
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
40 80 212423
1373
1986
2198 2300
27002900
3500
3600 3589
3471
Chinese Partner Schools—Cross BorderEnrollment—2000-2013
Chinese Partner Schools—Cross BorderEnrollment—2000-2013
Shenyang Normal UniversityShenyang
Shenyang Normal UniversityShenyang
Shenyang
Beijing Normal University Zhuhai
Campus
Beijing Normal University Zhuhai
Campus
NW U. of Nationalities;Lanzhou U of Fin. &
Economics;Qinghai University Of
Nationalities;Xinjiang Normal Univ.
11 Universities
NW U. of Nationalities;Lanzhou U of Fin. &
Economics;Qinghai University Of
Nationalities;Xinjiang Normal Univ.
11 Universities
Sias International UniversityXinzheng
Sias International UniversityXinzheng
Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou
Hangzhou Normal University Hangzhou
Hangzhou
Tianjin
Zhuhai
Northwest University of Politics and Law
Xian
Northwest University of Politics and Law
Xian
China PartnershipsChina Partnerships
ShenyangSias International UniversityXinzheng
Sias International UniversityXinzheng
Hangzhou
Tianjin
Zhuhai
Sias International UniversitySias International University
School of International Education
Dean Jia Li, SIE
Shenyang Normal UniversityShenyang
Shenyang Normal UniversityShenyang
Shenyang
Hangzhou
Tianjin
Zhuhai
Shenyang Normal University (SNU)• Shenyang, Liaoning Province, China • Provincial University • 35,000 students total • College of International Business (CIB)—
largest college of SNU• FHSU is only partner for CIB• Started in Fall, 2004 with 200 students• This Fall, 2013, about 949 students
Cindy Elliott
SNUSNU
SNU
Partners’ Roles
• Recruit the students; enroll the students• Offer 84 credits in Chinese language• Improve their English skills• Hire Cooperating Teachers• Provide Room and Board for all foreign
teachers• Conduct American-Style Graduation• Pay invoices on time
FHSU’s Roles
• Design courses for 42 credits• Hire Instructors of Record and F2F Faculty• Assess students; issues grades• Admit and enroll the students• Be good citizens while living or visiting
China• Conduct graduation in China• Provide foreign experts or visiting scholars
Chinese Proverb #6
Sow Melon, Reap Melon; Sow Beans, Reap Beans.
History—From Seeds to Melon
• Started with Bachelor of General Studies (BGS)—started with 40 students
• Graduated over 2,000 Chinese students with BGS—gainfully employed; seeking graduate education
• In 2009, asked to migrate to BBA, BA, BS degrees
• Today graduated over 6,000 students Cindy Elliott
Unique Instructional Model--Hybrid
• FHSU Faculty in Hays—Instructors of Record• American Cooperating Teachers in China—hired
by partner school• F2F Faculty—English Comp and BBA Faculty
– BBA –Large Lectures and Break Out Sessions • GTAs—for BBA program • Technology-enhanced content on Blackboard• Testing through Blackboard• Interaction through Email• Small Learning Groups
of students • Team Projects
FHSU Majors & Sias Degrees• International Finance• International Economics and Trade• Business Management
BBA-Management (Top 450 students)
BS—Organizational Leadership
• Business EnglishBA– Global Business English (Fall 2012)
• Information Management and Information Systems
BS—Information Networking and
Telecommunications
FHSU Majors & SNU Degrees• MarketingBS in Organizational
Leadership – Specialization in Marketing
• International TradeBA in Organizational Leadership – Specialization
in International Trade
• International FinanceBA in Organizational Leadership – Specialization
in International Finance
• LawBA in Political Science
Future Degree Plans
Shenyang Normal University• BBA in Management
Sias International University• BS in Tourism and Hospitality
Management• BA in Social Entrepreneurship
FHSU Course Sequencing
• No FHSU courses in Freshmen year• Begin Sophomore• 2+2+2+2+2= 10 courses or 30 credits• 2006, government changed policy• 1/3 of the credits or 42 credits• Advanced Standing Courses 12 courses
When You Paint A Dragon Dot Its Eyes
Cindy Elliott
OR SAY IT THIS WAY
Don’t be intimidated to tweak your policies and practices for the benefit of your cross border students.
Don’t be intimidated by University Policies
Don’t be intimidated by Departmental Policies
Never hurts to ask.
Which Policies Did We Rethink• English Language Proficiency• Annual Tuition Increases• Government requirements for 1/3 of
credits• Unexpected health problems --- SARS, TB• 180 degree different culture
– Probation, Suspension and Dismissal
We accomplished this through policy revisions in IEMG Handbook
Would we do it again?
ABSOLUTELY!!• Financial freedom• Diversify our university• Benefits for domestic virtual college
students
Why do international partners?Benefits /Outcomes
• Increased enrollments; increased SCH• Partners share costs and thus gain economies of scale;
Partners can share risks.• Greater diversification of the student body• Larger number of international students• Faculty experience teaching students from a different
culture• Partners bring unique strengths to the table, and these
broader perspectives can strengthen the individuals • Increased economic development and recognition to community and state
What would we NOT do again?
• We wouldn’t partner with a university “close” to the central government
• We waited too long to hire a person who does the operations
• What do you have to be willing to do?• Work 24X7…answer calls in the middle of
night
Chinese Proverb #4
If you don’t climb the mountain, you will not see the plain.
Cindy Elliott
