Katharine O. Strunk, dean of the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), led a delegation to Beijing International Studies University (BISU) on Oct 16. The two sides reached consensus on cooperation in talent cultivation and signed an agreement.

Zheng Chengjun, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC BISU Committee and vice-president of BISU, met with the delegation.

Zheng Chengjun (right) and Katharine O. Strunk pose for a group photo.

Zheng welcomed the visitors and gave a brief overview of the university's development achievements, its educational cooperation with the United States, and the history of exchanges between the two universities in scholar visits and student exchanges.

He said the signing of the dual master's degree program agreement would be an opportunity for the two universities to gradually expand cooperation at more levels and train more highly skilled talent.

Strunk introduced Penn and the teaching and enrollment practices of its Graduate School of Education. She said the university attaches great importance to cultivating a global perspective among its students and to educational cooperation with Chinese universities, adding that she was very glad to expand cooperation with BISU.

She spoke highly of BISU's achievements in talent cultivation, international engagement and campus development, and welcomed outstanding BISU students to pursue further study at Penn.

Following the meeting, Zheng and Strunk signed the dual master's degree program agreement, formally establishing a partnership between BISU and Penn. Under the agreement, BISU master's students will be able to pursue a master's degree at the University of Pennsylvania during their studies at BISU, with scholarship support from Penn.

Jason Cronk introduces BISU students to the program.

During the visit, Strunk and her delegation toured the university history museum to gain a full picture of BISU's development since its founding, including discipline development, talent cultivation, faculty development, social services and global cooperation. Jason Cronk, director of admissions and financial aid at Penn's Graduate School of Education, briefed students on the program and answered their questions.