University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman visits China to strengthen research collaborations
University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman is traveling to China today on a week-long trip to strengthen research collaborations and alumni ties with the world's most populous country.
Until July 2, Coleman will be visiting Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong. There, she'll meet with government leaders, university officials and alumni. Meeting with future students and parents is also on her agenda.
University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman chats with President Barack Obama on May 1 during his visit to speak at the commencement ceremonies in Ann Arbor.
"The idea will be to enhance the relationships we have," she said. "They're very strong already, but we want to make them even stronger."
Coleman's last trip to China was in 2005, when she signed agreements with Chinese universities, including Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Beijing Normal University, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Tsinghua University.
But the collaborations don't end there. Peking University and Tianjin University also exchange students with U-M.
In March, the University of Michigan announced plans to pursue advancements in biomedical and alternative energy technologies in partnership with researchers at SJTU, which had been linked to global cyber attacks.
"We see from our own federal government the desire to create stronger research collaborations with China, and we think we're in a very favored position here," Coleman said in an April interview with AnnArbor.com.
The reserach partners will pursue advancements in biotechnology and renewable energy, and each university will contribute $3 million over five years to the project. During Coleman's China trip, a winning proposal for the multi-million-dollar joint program will be announced.
SJTU found itself under intense scrutiny after U.S. investigators reportedly traced cyber attacks back to computers at SJTU and another school in China. The attacks led to security breaches at several American companies, including Google, which in March announced it would shutter its China-based search engine in protest. The research relationship with SJTU goes back to 1997, though the joint institute was formally established in 2005.
About 150 students per year come to U-M to complete their engineering degrees, while 50 to 60 American students typically go to China, Coleman said. In the fall of 2009, 1,168 Chinese students and 128 students from Hong Kong attended U-M.
Other goals of her current trip include:
• At Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU):
A formal signing of a resolution to commence collaborative research with SJTU
• Meetings with Chinese politicians:
Meeting with State Councilor Madame Liu Yandong and Madame Ma Dexiu, chairwoman of University Council of SJTU
• At Peking University:
Renewal of U-M and Peking University Joint Institute
• Shanghai World Expo
Meeting with U.S. and Chinese representatives
"We think this is something that can be beneficial to both countries," Coleman said. "It's very exciting."
AnnArbor.com's Nathan Bomey contributed to this report
Juliana Keeping is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter
Comments
Trepang674
Thu, Jul 1, 2010 : 12:33 p.m.
Good job Mary Sue...open the ONE WAY technology flow and bring in more Chinese professors. I have sat in classes taught by these asian new immigrants. Didn't understand very much, thankfully could read the textbook. I'm sure they were brilliant about something, communication...not so much. Integrating into society..not so much either.
Ryan Munson
Tue, Jun 29, 2010 : 9:30 p.m.
"Who has direct knowledge except for the participants." That's the point trespass...there is a whole other side to the story you do not know. And yes there is plenty of information on the U-M's website. Please check.
trespass
Sun, Jun 27, 2010 : 12:18 p.m.
We are not arguing for isolation, we are arguing that we should not give away our competitive edge. Research is expensive, manufacturing is the reward for research and innovation. In particular, we should not allow a few privileged individuals at the UM to profit by giving away our edge.
brad
Sun, Jun 27, 2010 : 7:02 a.m.
(read sarcastically) Isolation is the key to sustaining our position as global economic leaders.
mike from saline
Sat, Jun 26, 2010 : 9:34 p.m.
Very disturbing.
Otto
Sat, Jun 26, 2010 : 7:22 a.m.
Let's see... The U will not accept $1 mil from US based pharma but will SPEND $3 mil in China where ALL research is company (state) owned? Instead of supporting research jobs here, The U supports research jobs in China. Another example of why the State of Michigan should cease funding of this "public" university. If the WalMart Wolverines only knew what their beloved team is up to.
trespass
Sat, Jun 26, 2010 : 7:05 a.m.
@Ryan Munson- Ask President Coleman to reveal her and her families investments in China. She will not. When a public employee makes decisions that affect the public's money, the public is entitled to know of any conflicts of interest. Who has direct knowledge except for the participants. It is certainly not reported on the UM website. We can say that Chinese officials has sought military or dual use technology from UM. We know that some students and visitors are affiliated with the Chinese military. So don't be naive with regard to the implications of the UM's relationships with China.
Ryan Munson
Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 10:22 p.m.
Unfortunately, the first four commenters appear have no direct knowledge of the purpose of the contingent to go to China. Please don't be afraid to visit the U-M's Website...
xyz
Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 9:14 p.m.
Sounds like you guys have been brainwashed with all negative news about China.
trespass
Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 9:09 p.m.
Not only can we give them the technology but we can give them part of the $100 million that the University endowment has invested in Chinese start up companies. Perhaps that money would be better invested in Michigan start up companies.
ffej440
Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 4:25 p.m.
Great! Now they won't have to wait to steal our technology. I will never understand why the US government wants strong ties with a commie country with the worst human rights record in the world.
Jay Thomas
Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 3:55 p.m.
Yes, I can see the benefit. Anything we discover here can then be manufactured there. Good thinking.
bruceae
Fri, Jun 25, 2010 : 3:18 p.m.
How about telling them to stop hacking Google and other US Companies?