TROY — Troy University officials will travel to China this week to award degrees to 22 students in a commencement ceremony scheduled for June 29 at Xi’an Sheyou University.

This will be the second commencement ceremony for Troy University ’s 1-2-1 program, as 20 students received degrees in the 2004 ceremony. The program allows Troy University students from China to study their first year in China , spend their sophomore and junior years in Troy and then return home to complete their studies. The program, officially called the 1-2-1 Sino-American Joint Degree Program, began in the United States in 2001, with 40 students traveling to Troy .

Dr. Jack Hawkins , Jr., chancellor, and Dr. Curtis Porter , dean of international programs, will represent Troy University in the ceremony, with Dr. Hawkins scheduled to deliver remarks and award diplomas. Twenty students from eight partner universities will receive bachelor’s degrees in business, music, computer science and communications arts and two students will receive master of business administration degrees.

The itinerary for Troy University officials will include meetings with representatives of partner universities in China who participate in the 1-2-1 Program. Currently, 27 universities in China are participating in the program. In addition, University officials are scheduled to meet with U.S. State Department officials at the consulate in Beijing .

Chancellor Hawkins said the 1-2-1 Program is an important part of Troy University ’s efforts to internationalize the campus. He said TROY ’s international efforts are designed to benefits students from America by introducing them to other cultures and customs.

“The graduate who is comfortable in the international marketplace will have a tremendous advantage over those who are not,” Dr. Hawkins said. “Our students must learn to work across cultural, linguistic and national boundaries.