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U-M/China relationship continues to strengthen >
In addition to forum exchanges on the U-M campus, a delegation of 22 Chinese university officials visited Chicago, Detroit and the state capitol, and met with University Research Corridor (URC) partners Michigan State University and Wayne State University.
“Universities around the world are a critical source of the ideas and expertise that are central to economic growth,” said Mary Sue Coleman. “Stronger relationships between China’s and Michigan’s universities will ensure that our students and scholars are better prepared to cooperate on the emerging opportunities that are shaping the global marketplace.”
The meetings offered an opportunity to lay the groundwork for future partnerships. While the URC presidents regularly work to accelerate research and tech transfer efforts, China has pursued a concerted plan to expand higher education to energize its economy.
“We have new procedures to help faculty start their own businesses, we have opened a Business Engagement Center to better work with business, and we have developed the University Research Corridor to capitalize upon the intellectual assets of U-M, Michigan State University and Wayne State University,” Coleman said.
