2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

This paper, based on the experience of the author, describes the process that a public US university went through to establish a cooperative educational program in Beijing, China. The foundation of this venture was rooted in a robust educational and research relationship that was initiated in 2017. This partnership had previously seen success through implementation of a 3+1+1 dual degree program, permitting Chinese students to acquire an undergraduate degree in China and a subsequent M.S. degree in the United States. Furthermore, a joint research symposium had paved the way for the establishment of a collaborative research center, complemented by several instances of faculty members teaching summer courses in China.
In the spring of 2020, in furtherance of their enduring partnership, both institutions jointly submitted a proposal to the Chinese Ministry of Education, seeking to institute a Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools (CCE) graduate program. This proposal received official endorsement from the Chinese Ministry of Education in October 2020. Subsequent approvals for the program were duly secured, first from the educational institution itself and later from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) regional accreditor.
The successful initiation of this international educational site necessitated meticulous planning encompassing various aspects, including logistical considerations for program delivery, academic standards, student recruitment, financial agreements, and the assignment of instructors. In August 2023, this program enrolled its inaugural cohort, comprised of 19 students.
This paper offers a firsthand account of the creation and administration of an international instructional site, from the perspective of the author in a senior management role. It provides practical insights and discussions based on the author's experience.