November 20, 2002

State Department grants helps ISU
expand exchanges with China

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — A federal grant will allow Indiana State University to work with an existing international partner to promote better understanding between the U.S. and China as the world's most populous nation moves toward a market economy.

Thanks to the $118,598 Fulbright Educational Partnership grant announced today to coincide with International Education Week, faculty from Indiana State and China's Liaoning University will integrate curriculum and develop joint research projects focusing on China's emerging economic influence as a new member the World Trade Organization.

"The goals of the program are to foster linkages in the humanities and social sciences between the U.S. and foreign academic institutions," said Gaston Fernandez, executive director of ISU's International Affairs Center. "This award gives national recognition to the cooperation between ISU and Liaoning University and is a tribute to the expertise in international teaching and research of the faculty of the Departments of Economics and the Schools of Business at ISU and Liaoning."

Awarded by the U.S. State Department, Fulbright grants are "highly competitive," Fernandez said. Only five such grants have been awarded for partnerships with universities in China since 1997, he noted. Past recipients include the University of Minnesota, The University of Georgia, Iowa State University, the University of Baltimore and Franklin Pierce University Law School.

Liaoning is Indiana State's oldest partner in international exchange. The two universities have sponsored more than 20 exchange programs since their relationship began in 1990. The grant will help support faculty exchanges for a three-year period starting in January. During that time, study abroad opportunities will also be developed for ISU students at Liaoning.

"The Indiana State University-Liaoning University grant aims to support curriculum development focusing on China's transition to a market economy through collaborative research and outreach activities that will have a multiplier effect and positive long-term impact," Fernandez said. "Among the expected results are: strengthening ISU's teaching about China, joint research and outreach to local communities and relevant professional and governmental entities."

From 1989 to 1999, Indiana exports to China grew at a rate of 43 percent per year, Gov. Frank O'Bannon wrote in a letter to the State Department in support of the grant.

"I am confident that Indiana State University's Educational Partnerships Program proposal … will help meet an important need in the state in preparing Indiana's workforce for the challenges and opportunities presented by China's expanded role in the world economy," O'Bannon said. "I am hopeful that increased educational and cultural ties between Indiana and Liaoning will further economic relations and contribute to improved relations between both countries."

China is "a still developing country. In terms of economic development, we have a very large potential market," Liaoning University President Cheng Wei said during a September visit to ISU. "Economic globalization will bring about educational globalization. I hope that American students will ... come to China to see the country and to experience the country and study the language. I would welcome students at ISU to come to Liaoning to study. They will get special attention from us."

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Contact:
Gaston Fernandez, executive director, ISU International Affairs Center,
(812) 237-4391 or ascfern@isugw.indstate.edu

Writer:
Dave Taylor, ISU Public Affairs, (812) 237-3743 or devtaylo@isugw.indstate.edu

ISU Public Affairs:
(812) 237-3773 or http://isunews.indstate.edu