University Opens Liaison Office in Shanghai

As part of a continuing commitment to global engagement, Georgetown celebrated the opening of its first liaison office in Shanghai, China last month. Located at the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, the office will enhance scholarly exchange between Georgetown and Fudan, as well as other leading Chinese universities and research centers.

"The opening of the liaison office signals -- both to the Georgetown community and our Chinese colleagues -- our commitment to supporting world-class research partnerships, innovation in higher education and greater mutual understanding between the people of China and the United States," says Provost James O'Donnell. "We are very pleased to be hosted by Fudan, one of China's premier universities, where we have active programs in public policy, international health and law, as well as emerging ties in the areas of medicine and liberal arts."

O'Donnell also announced the appointment of Lili Dong as the liaison office director and member of the Provost's International Initiatives team. Dong will work with faculty and students across Georgetown's three campuses in Washington, D.C., and Fudan to develop and implement new academic programs and exchanges. She also will help Georgetown alumni, parents and friends in China to stay involved with the university through programs established in the region.

Dong already has heard from faculty in the departments of history, theology and the School of Continuing Studies who are interested in exploring collaborations in China.

"I'm a strong believer in international education and international communication," Dong says. "Being a native of China, I wanted to do something to serve as a bridge between China and the U.S. This job is perfect in that sense, because I help people on both sides get to know each other better and work together."

A native of Jiangsu Province, Dong received her undergraduate degree in English language and literature from Shanghai International Studies University. She went on to pursue her master's in learning and instruction from the University of Southern California and her Ph.D. in educational policy and administration from the University of Minnesota. During her doctoral studies that she realized the importance of intercultural exchange.

Dong says her office exists to help faculty and staff become better acquainted with opportunities for collaboration in China. She can assist by contacting local universities about potential opportunities and helping set up appointments with appropriate administrators.

"We are really there to try to help faculty," she says.

Dong says her office can provide assistance, even if people have general questions such as "What should I do? What can I do? What would be the better way to approach people?"

Faculty and staff may e-mail Dong directly or contact one of her colleagues on the Main Campus for more information about opportunities for collaboration in China.

In addition to the opening of the liaison office, Georgetown continues its expanding presence in China through other programs and collaborative efforts.

The office launch ceremony fell on the same day that Fudan's State Innovative Institute for American Studies and Georgetown's Walsh School of Foreign Service held a seminar on new trends in U.S.-East Asian relations. The first in what is hoped to be an annual event, the seminar brought together Asian and Georgetown international relations experts, including Victor Cha, director of Asian studies, and professors Michael Green and Robert Sutter. The faculty members joined Fudan faculty and Chinese government experts to look at ways of expanding American and Chinese cooperation in East Asia.

Georgetown's involvement in China also includes agreements with the China Scholarship Council to sponsor post-doctoral fellowships at Georgetown and annual seminars and exchange of researchers with the China Central Party School. Georgetown also collaborates with Renmin University of China for graduate legal education and with East China Normal University on early childhood education and children with disabilities via the Center for Child and Human Development at Georgetown University Medical Center.

Source: Blue & Gray

January 14, 2008