4:22 p.m., Aug. 7, 2007--The University of Delaware has enhanced its presence in the international academic community with the signing of a cooperative agreement with the Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SWUFE), located in Chengdu, China.

Under the agreement, signed by representatives of UD and SWUFE on Monday, Aug. 6, in Hullihen Hall, both schools will cooperate in the establishment of study abroad programs and student/faculty exchange initiatives between the two institutions.

"We are very honored to sign this agreement. I think there is a lot we can do together," UD President Patrick Harker said. "I believe there is much that we can learn from each other."

Because UD is widely recognized for its research in many fields, including avian diseases, sustainable energy initiatives and solar cells, opportunities for the development of successful business ventures based on such expertise should be explored and encouraged, Harker said.

“We want to take our strong reputation in science and engineering and establish partnerships with business schools to be on the cutting edge, especially in the development of new research-based businesses,” Harker said. “Our partnership with SWUFE is an example of our efforts to establish and develop an successful interface between science, engineering and business.”

Established in 1952 as the Sichaun Institute of Finance and Economics, SWUFE offers 28 doctoral, 43 master's and 29 bachelor's degree programs in the university's 19 departments and schools.

“SWUFE is one of the premier universities in west China, with outstanding programs in finance and economics,” Conrado (Bobby) M. Gempesaw, dean of UD's Lerner College of Business and Economics, said. “The Lerner College is interested in exploring possible areas of collaboration with their business school.”

UD's Center for International Studies supports agreements between UD and colleges and universities overseas such as SWUFE as a means of strengthening the University's international scholarly networks and of internationalizing scholarship at UD.

Liu Can, vice president of SWUFE, said that the agreement of cooperation between UD and SWUFE is important, especially considering the growth of business opportunities in China and the increasing number of American companies operating in southwest China.

“Our university specializes in business management and economics,” Can said. “We are honored to sign such an agreement with UD and to build on this agreement.”

Havidán Rodrîguez, vice provost for academic affairs, said that the agreement continues UD’s emphasis on strengthening its existing relationships and developing new collaborative initiatives with institutions of higher education around the world.

“Establishing these collaborative agreements with institutions such as SWUFE are critical in order to enhance our understanding of the social, economic, cultural and political changes around the world that continually impact our societies,” Rodriguez said. “We live and function in a global society, and our research, curriculum and campus activities need to reflect the diversity of this international community. Continuing to internationalize our university is extremely important for our institution, faculty, students and all the members of the UD community.”

Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Duane Perry