MSU-US/China Rural Development Training Program
Introduction
Every year, the MSU-US/China Rural Development Training Program conducts 8-10 training programs for more than 100 government officials and senior administrators from China. The program curricula are specifically designed and prepared for each training group and cover such topics as macro agro-economic policy, rural economic development, agricultural technology, international trade, business management, and insurance business. These training programs have lead to the development of long term cooperation between agencies in China and MSU for training present and future Chinese leaders.
The Training Program
This training program is conducted by the MSU Institute of International Agriculture and is held on the campus of Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. MSU has 14 colleges offering more than 200 different academic programs. These colleges and their faculty members provide an abundant resource to assure a diversified curriculum that meets the needs of different training groups and guarantees the quality of the program. The goal of the program is to provide short-term specialized training to Chinese governmental officials and business administrators to help them understand:
- the principles and practices of a Western market economy
- U.S. agricultural and industrial production and marketing systems
- U.S. governmental macro economic policy
- U.S. agricultural education, research, and technology transfer systems
- U.S. political, social, and cultural systems
The training program combines workshops, field visits, lectures, and group discussions. Course lectures are presented by MSU professors who are nationally and internationally known experts. The program also includes lecturers from government agencies, private companies, and business associations, and field visits to various farms, businesses, and research and extension offices throughout Michigan. Economic and trade relations and opportunities for cooperation are discussed with U.S. business executives.
The training programs are two to three weeks in duration. Each group usually consists of 12 to 20 individuals. Program itineraries may include professional visits to cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and Washington D.C. Chinese interpreters are provided to facilitate presentations and field visits.
China Food and Agriculture Study Tours
Since 1994, the Institute of International Agriculture has organized an annual Food and Agriculture Study Tour to China. This study tour is intended to provide an overview and understanding of the scope of the Chinese food, agriculture and rural sectors and their importance to the global economy.
During this 15-day trip, participants learn how China feeds 22percent of the world's population on 7 percent of the world's total arable land. Through visits with government officials, farm markets and township enterprises, participants gain an understanding of China's food and agriculture systems and exposure to the country's plan and progress toward rural and economic development. The study tour also includes historical and cultural stops at the Great Wall, Summer Palace, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.
With the largest population in the world, China's booming economy provides tremendous opportunities for international investors and the business community. The study tour gives participants first-hand knowledge about China's social, cultural and economic conditions and prospects. Examples of past and future study tours are:
China Turfgrass and Landscape Study Tour 2004
- Brochure for the 2004 China Study Tour.
- Introduction to the 2004 China Study Tour in a powerpoint format.
Joint Education Program with Chinese Universities
On March 25, 2003, Mr. Peter McPherson, President of Michigan State University, signed an agreement with four Chinese universities to develop and implement a program of higher education in turfgrass management in China for Chinese students. These four Chinese institutions of higher education are: Sichuan Agricultural University, Northeast Agricultural University, Beijing Forestry University and Suzhou Polytechnic Institute of Agriculture. This joint education program intended to result in the opportunity for Chinese students to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in turfgrass management, an expertise offered by Michigan State University that will be of increasing importance and need in China. A primary goal of the parties is to establish a long-term close relationship among them for a broad range of cooperation, including study abroad, research and graduate studies.
The title of the joint education programs is Bachelor of Science degree program, with specialized training in turfgrass management.
Proposed contents of the program:
a. Academic Schedule. MSU and the four Chinese universities will develop a joint curriculum for the program, based on acceptable credits from each university. The program will require five years of study for each student, the first two spent in basic studies at the hosting Chinese universities, the third spent in intensive English training, and the fourth and fifth spent taking turfgrass management courses approved and supported by MSU and performing an internship. If enrolled students in the second and later cohorts of the program meet the minimum English requirements to advance to specialized studies, without the year of intensive English training, MSU may choose to waive the intensive English training.
b. Admission. To be enrolled in the program initially, students must have passed the Chinese national entrance examination, been enrolled by the Chinese universities, and meet MSU admission requirements, and to advance to the specialized studies after the first three years, students must have a minimum test score of 550 on the Tests of English as a Foreign Language.
c. Credits. Sixty of the credits MSU requires for a bachelor of science degree may be earned at the hosting Chinese universities and transferred to MSU (subject to prior MSU approval of the credits to be transferred) and the remaining sixty credits must be earned through MSU-approved courses.
d. Teaching Methods. According to the jointly developed curriculum, the Chinese faculty will teach the first three years of courses at the hosting universities. For the fourth and fifth years, Program teaching will consist of MSU faculty face-to-face teaching in China; MSU trained and approved Chinese faculty teaching; distance education jointly organized by MSU and the Chinese universities; and last-semester field internships in the United States, Australia, or other suitable locations, arranged by MSU faculty.
e. Degree. Successful completion of all of the academic program requirements as implemented by the parties in accordance with the agreement will result in the award of a bachelor of science degree from MSU and graduation certificates and the bachelor of science degree diploma from the Chinese universities.
In September 2003, the four Chinese universities started to enroll the first class of students for the program. By end of 2003, there are totally 45 students enrolled in this program.
Based on the success of this first joint education program, the university tends to develop similar programs in China in area, such as agricultural business management, food industry management, and horticulture.
For further information please contact:
Dr. Weijun Zhao
308A International Center
Michigan State University
E. Lansing, Michigan 48824
zhaow@msu.edu
