Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s good name and reputation is growing in parts of Asia. The University recently entered into an agreement to bring more Asian students to campus through a dual diploma program with Tongmyong University in Busan, South Korea.
After working the curricula details with the South Korean school for nearly six months, SIUE Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe signed a memorandum of understanding on June 11 with Tongmyong University. SIUE also expects to finalize negotiations sometime in August for a dual diploma program with Shenyang Aerospace University in Liaoning in northeastern China.
Furst-Bowe was part of an SIUE contingent visiting South Korea and China from June 7-18 that included School of Engineering Dean Hasan Sevim, School of Education Dean Bette Bergeron and Center for International Programs Director Ron Schaefer.
“Our trip to Asia was for the purpose of strengthening and promoting our dual diploma programs and for broadening our global presence,” said Furst-Bowe.
The South Korea dual diploma program is the second that SIUE has established. The agreement involves Tongmyong University officials selecting a group of students who will begin the program at their university as freshmen and sophomores. The students transfer to SIUE to complete their junior and senior years.
Upon graduation, the South Korean students will receive their respective diplomas from both Tongmyong University and SIUE. Students can major in mechanical engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering and industrial engineering. The first group of an expected 40-50 South Korean students are expected in fall 2014.
“This is a huge step for the internationalization of our campus,” said Sevim. “These students will bring their unique culture, new perspectives and high level of academic potential. This is very rewarding for both SIUE and our partners.”
In addition to sharing students, the dual degree program agreement also offers opportunities for faculty exchange, summer programs and cooperative research.
“Some of their junior faculty can come to SIUE and benefit from research and teaching,” Sevim added. “We hope to send some of our faculty there, as well.”
While in China, SIUE officials were hosted by Shenyang Aerospace University and the School of Engineering staff worked on common curricula with their counterparts similar to South Korean curricula in various engineering disciplines.
Sevim said three other universities also were visited in China for potential international cooperation: Shenyang Ligong University, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology and Shenyang Jianzhu University.
SIUE currently has a dual diploma program with Istanbul Technical University. The joint-diploma program in industrial engineering is the first of its kind in the United States and Turkey. Students from Turkey earn a bachelor’s in industrial engineering, and diplomas from each University.
During the trip, Bergeron visited with officials to discuss the School of Education’s successful International Training Program in Pedagogy, through which faculty members from international institutions stay on the SIUE campus for a semester to learn American style pedagogy through active participation in classes and focused seminars.
Bergeron also discussed possible expansions to leadership training programs for university administrators as well as potential areas of collaboration including student exchanges and 1+1 programs for graduate students. She also visited with representatives at Shenyang Normal University and explored a range of options for possible future partnerships.
Photo: SIUE Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe signs a memorandum of understanding with Tongmyong University
President Dong-kun Sul in Busan, South Korea.