Plymouth State University has, for many years, offered exchange opportunities to foreign countries, even hosting foreign students. With many students having gone to schools in England and Ireland, the office of global engagement has allowed students to learn more than just about academics studies. PSU has recently partnered with Henan Normal University in China, that would allow opportunities for future students to study abroad.
Jason Moran, the dean of enrollment management, said, “Due to a connection that Sunny (A professor here at PSU) brought to Plymouth State. An opportunity to partner with Henan Normal University presented itself, and we learned that Henan Normal University is looking to send some of its students on a global learning experience. From that conversation, we were able to express our desire to form a partnership with Henan Normal University. In my opinion, it’s doing our part to foster a global educational experience, for both the students at Henan Normal University and the students at Plymouth State University. ”
The first phase of the partnership has already completed with both PSU and HNU, both signing a partnership agreement. Moran said, “This will allow students from Henan Normal University to come to Plymouth, for a semester, or a year, as part of their degree program.” These talks have also allowed for Plymouth State to open up conversations about establishing a program called “2+2” which would not only allow students from HNU to study here at PSU but allow them to transfer to PSU during a 2-year timeframe.
But the conversations didn’t stop there. Opportunities have been discussed for PSU students to study abroad. Moran said, “With the hopeful build-up of this partnership, there could be opportunities for students to study abroad, and faculty member to visit and engage in scholarship [scholarly endeavors], and for use to welcome visiting scholars at Henan Normal University.”
Moran stated that he hopes to be able to bring students from Henan Normal University by 2019, with availability for students to go overseas to study following that.
However, there were questions raised concerning the motives behind the partnership between HNU and PSU. As many people know, there have been rumors about the school being broke. When questioned about this, Moran said that the only reason for the partnership was to advance global education and gain a valuable partner in China.
No matter the reason for the partnership with Henan Normal University, it will offer unique opportunities to students from both universities. Only time will tell what this program will bring to the table.