A delegation from Washington University in St. Louis including Brown School Dean Mary McKay and Center for Social Development (CSD) leaders participated the celebration of Washington University Day at Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) on October 15.
Chancellor Mark Wrighton led the delegation, which included CSD Research Director Shenyang Guo, CSD International Director Li Zou and Brown School Manager of Global Program Linyun Fu.
Washington University Day kicked off with an official Washington University-XJTU agreement signing of a new joint PhD program, witnessed by leaders from the Shaan Xi provincial government and the Chinese Scholarship Council.
Wrighton, Vice Chancellor for International Affairs Kurt Dirks and Vice Chancellor for Operations Dedric Carter each delivered a plenary presentation highlighting the roles of universities, building trust on university collaborations and bringing research to productive applications.
As part of the celebration, McKay delivered a presentation introducing the Brown School and its leading academic programs. She also highlighted outstanding faculty and research that has made global impacts.
Guo presented his recently launched research project “Let’s Be Friends,” targeting 370 elementary school students from 13 schools in Shaanxi Province. The project aims to enhance children’s social skills and benefit rural children in western China.
Zou presented “Asset Building Policy Innovation: Global Examples & Perspectives,” highlighting the policies and programs on Child Development Accounts from Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China.
Fu hosted information sessions on the Brown School’s three master’s degree programs: Social Work, Public Health and Social Policy.
XJTU is a partner of Washington University’s McDonnell International Scholars Academy, and Washington University is member of the XJTU’s University Alliance of the Silk Road. The two prominent universities have developed strong relationships and ongoing academic training and exchange programs for faculty and students.