On Mar 5th 2012, the Vice President of Niagara University, Timothy Downs visited Sanya University and had in-depth negotiations with Lu Dan, Executive President of Sanya University. Both signed a Memorandum of Understanding.
The Vice President of Niagara University, Timothy Downs negotiating with Lu Dan, Executive President of Sanya University
Both sides signing the Memorandum of Understanding
Exchanging the Memorandum of Understanding, Sanya University begins its cooperation with Niagara University
Lu Dan, Executive President of Sanya University presenting gifts to Niagara University
Representatives from both sides
Lu Dan expressed that in order for Hainan to achieve its goal of becoming an International Tourism Island it must train and recruit substantial domestic and international talent. As a result, President Lu Dan visited many countries to study their successful academic programs in Tourism Development and Management.
Joseph L. Levesque, president of Niagara University presenting gifts to Lu Dan in March 2011 when Lu Dan visited Niagara University to investigate western education practices
Signing a Memorandum of Understanding
Lu Dan paid a visit to Niagara University in March 2011. Tourism Management is one of Niagara University’s primary academic majors. The university’s Tourism Management program ranks top ten in the United States. Niagara University exhibits a strong interest in the educational practice and objectives of Sanya University. After extensive communication with each other, both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding, and decided to prepare for cooperation in such majors as Tourism Management.
In the following year, Vice President of Niagara University, Timothy Downs paid a return visit to Sanya University. He was impressed by Sanya University’s fragrant and idyllic environment and its rapid development in only seven years. During their communication, Vice President Downs indicated that Niagara University attaches much importance to the cooperation with Sanya University. They will insure that the life of visiting students from Sanya University is as convenient as possible.
Finally, both sides signed the Memorandum of Understanding in regards to cooperation in running joint course programs and the reciprocal acceptance of academic credits.
University Presidents’ Dialogue
After signing the Agreement, President Lu Dan and Vice President Downs had a University Presidents’ dialogue in the Studio of UCTV, a Campus TV station at 3 p.m on the 5th of March.
A University Presidents’ dialogue with the theme of Fostering Student Talent
Lu Dan and Timothy Downs shared their wisdom with Sanya University students in a live broadcast
Both men exchanged views on the responsibility to address cultural differences in education
A consensus was reached that students in a modern progressive university should achieve a personal commitment for active learning, enhanced humanistic care and an advanced cultivation of Literature, Arts, and Philosophy. They emphasized that the purpose of education is to train new leaders
Teachers and students from Sanya University asking questions
Both University executives answered questions put forward by the audience
Wonderful answers receiving an enthusiastic round of applause from the audience
One student, English major Chen Yao, expressed that she was deeply impressed by the Presidents Dialogue: “I am honored to have the opportunity to participate in this activity. I have learned a lot from it, especially about the cultural differences between China and America, and it motivates me to recharge myself. Sanya University has provided a platform for us to better communicate with foreigners. This makes me feel more confident about the future of myself and our University.
Lu Dan indicated in the interview that Sanya University will attach more importance to the training of high-quality talent to meet the current and future needs of society
Timothy Downs praised the personal qualities of Sanya University students and said he looks forward to a deeper cooperation with our University
In an interview after the Dialogue, Lu Dan confirmed the positive significance of the discussion and emphasized that “ In the background of globalization, we need to cultivate more high-quality talent to meet the current and future needs of society. We have reached many agreements with Niagara University. When faced with the differences between countries, we should have competitive consciousness and emphasize the tolerance of and integration with different cultures.
