China Initiatives at Mason
Madelyn Ross
George Mason University
Spring 2011
China Coordinator hired in 2003
•Understand scope of China activities
•Identify and support key areas of ongoing activity (Chinese
language program, study abroad, research and training
partnerships)
•Develop a long-range strategy and identify appropriate projects
that build on Mason strengths and develop more systemic links with
China
Goals
•Improve Mason’s international reputation
•Attract strong group of international students
•Help internationalize the campus
•Create more international opportunities for students, faculty
The 1+2+1 Program at George Mason
• The program gave Mason the chance to receive good students and build
strong partnerships with Chinese universities at the same time.
• Mason signed 1+2+1 agreements with five Chinese university partners
in 2004. The first 16 students came to Mason in August 2005.
• The 1+2+1 program is now Mason’s largest dual degree program.
More than 180 Chinese
students in this program have
studied at Mason 2005-2010
2005-06 group
2006-07 group
2007-08 group
2008-09 group
2009-10 group
2010-11 group
16
29
30
32
46
31
Mason’s 121 university partners
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Beijing Normal University 北 京 师范大学
Chang’an University 长安 大学
China Pharmaceutical University 中国药科大学
Chongqing University 重庆大学
Communication University of China 中国传媒大学
Hefei University of Technology 合肥工业大学
Henan University 河南大学
Liaoning University 辽宁 大学
Nanjing Normal University 南京 师范 大学
Nanjing University of Information Science and Tech。
南京信息工程大学
Shaanxi Normal University 陕西师范大学
Shandong University at Weihai 山东大学（威海分校）
Soochow University 苏州大学
Southwest Jiaotong University 西南 交通 大学
Wuhan University of Technology 武汉理工 大学
Yunnan University 云南大学
Degrees
Most 1+2+1 students major in Economics, Finance or Computer Science
New degrees have been added gradually in response to departmental
and/or student interest
Other Degree Options
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Global Affairs
Geography
Management
Marketing
Music
Dance
Art and Visual Technology
Physics
Environmental Science
Computational and Data Sci.
How does the program work?
Students take regular first year courses at their Chinese university before
coming to Mason in year 2.
Students begin at Mason by taking a test at English Language Institute.
Based on test results, they may stay in ELI for 1-3 semesters before
moving into regular academic classes.
Students live on campus and are assigned non-Chinese roommates
Encouraged to take full advantage of what Mason offers in their time
here.
Classes
At Mason, all 1+2+1 students take UNIV 100 Freshman Transition
to provide cultural context and learn how American
universities operate.
Most students also take a full course load in summer in order to
finish most of their Mason requirements within 2-3 years.
Dual degree students are mainstreamed with other Mason
students. They complete all General Education and
departmental requirements for both of their universities. A
waiver of Global Understanding is available if students
complete a qualifying essay.
Students have been very successful both in and outside the
classroom.
Each year seniors are honored by various departments.
Almost all students qualify for the Dean’s list at Mason.
They join campus organizations
and take part in sports and service opportunities.
Distinctive Program Features
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The program involves a consortium of schools in
both countries: There are now 80 Chinese
universities and 20 US universities taking part.
• It operates under the auspices and support of the
American Association of State Colleges and
Universities (AASCU) in the US and the China Center
for International Educational Exchanges (CCIEE)
• Began with specific goals in 2001: devise a dual
degree with China that would be affordable and
minimize visa problems
The Consortium Approach
• Strong support from AASCU and CCIEE
• Help with recruiting and management
• Broad source of students
-----------------------• Complexity—multiple partners and degrees
• Need to transfer credits between universities
based on accurate and timely information
• Pressure to grow rapidly
Current Activity
Academic guidelines created for each
department hosting dual degree students
Build course databases
Create equivalency tables for each partner
school
Regularize and streamline administrative
procedures, guidelines for advisors, students
Benefits of the program
1. Brings top international students to Mason
2. Gives Mason faculty and staff hands-on
experience with international partnerships
3. Develops strong partnerships with Chinese
universities; leads to additional activities
4. Cultural enrichment for Mason community
Cultural Enrichment
The program provides opportunities for
1+2+1 students to share their culture on
campus.
Brings US and Chinese students together for
joint activities
New Activities with 1+2+1 Partners
• Visiting Scholar Program
• Nanjing Normal University music exchanges
• Southwest Jiaotong University training
program
• NUIST young teacher training
• Creates opportunities for Mason students and
faculty to study/travel in China
Other Mason China Initiatives
Thank you 谢谢