TROY – Troy University Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr. and Hebei Normal University President Tang Shengling today signed an agreement that will link the two master’s-level universities for student, faculty and staff exchange.

Under the agreement, a 2-plus-2 program was established whereby Hebei students would complete two years of undergraduate studies before transferring to the Troy Campus to complete the four-year degree.

“The agreement is aimed to develop a 2-plus-2, but it’s more than just that one program,” Dr. Hawkins said. “It will involve the exchange of students, faculty and staff, and develop a culture that goes beyond a transparent partnership.”

“I look forward to working with Hebei and accomplishing exiting things with our students – both in China and in the United States,” he said.

Hebei, officially the Hebei Normal University of Science and Technology, is a public university accredited by the provisional government of the People’s Republic of China and is one of 15 universities in that nation that trains vocational teachers. The university has a full-time enrollment of about 24,000 students on four campuses and offers six master’s degree programs.

“I am very happy to make Troy University a sister university,” said Mr. Tang, through an interpreter. “Our two universities have a lot of common ground. Both universities have  strong desire for international education.”

In addition to the Troy Campus, the Hebei partners with institutions of higher education in Canada, Ireland and New Zealand, Mr. Tang said.

Dr. Hawkins said he expected the first students to arrive from Hebei in Fall 2007.

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Tang Shengling, president of Hebei Normal University of Science & Technology in the People’s Republic of China, and Troy University Chancellor Jack Hawkins Jr. sign an accord establishing a 2 plus 2 undergraduate program between the two universities. Witnessing the occasion are, left to right, Yan Xue Qian, deputy director of the China Youth Center for International Exchange which helps facilitate Chinese exchange programs, Troy University Dean of International Programs Curt Porter and Executive Vice Chancellor Ed D. Roach. Dr. Hawkins said the program would extend to the exchange of students, faculty and staff and staff and help foster “the development of a culture that goes beyond a transparent partnership.” TROY photo/Ed Dunbar