On Tuesday, March 1, 2016, Ping Hao, Vice Minister of Education Department in China, Liu Xiping, General Director of Education Department of Zhejiang Province, and Xu Liyi, Secretary of CPC Wenzhou Committee visited Wenzhou-Kean University. They were accompanied by Frank Wang, Chairman of Wenzhou-Kean University Board of Directors, and Philip Connelly, the Executive V.P. of Operations of Kean University.

This is Hao’s second time visiting Wenzhou-Kean University. In March 2012, he attended the campus’ groundbreaking ceremony and unveiled a plaque for Wenzhou-Kean University with Zhao Hongzhu, who was the Secretary of CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee at that time.

Hao visited the new student residence and dining hall, and talked to Wenzhou-Kean University students and exchange students from Kean University. Then he went to the American model classroom and watched the presentation of teaching technologies, such as the multifunctional white board, Mediasite, a classroom recording and broadcasting system.

Ping Hao visited Wenzhou-Kean University
Photo courtesy of University Affairs, Wenzhou-Kean University

After campus tour, Hao listened to the report about academy and campus construction from Frank Wang. The report described exchanging programs, admissions, student recruitment and social service. Philip Connelly, the Executive V.P. of Operations  of Kean University, expressed his gratitude for the continuous support to Wenzhou-Kean University from the Ministry of Education and Chinese government, who also invited Hao to participate in Wenzhou-Kean University’s first commencement ceremony in May 2016.

Liyi regarded the Wenzhou-Kean University as the important engine serving for the city, who pointed out that Wenzhou-Kean University has to focus on improving academic education and cultivating talented students. The students play an important role for Wenzhou’s social and economic development, so they have to contribute to the city.

Hao stated, “I have witnessed the growth of Wenzhou-Kean University, it starts from empty ground to such a beautiful campus. The establishment of Wenzhou-Kean University is not only the cooperation between Wenzhou University and Kean University, but more importantly, this project will enhance the cultural exchange between China and America, as the model of cultural exchange.”

In the future, Wenzhou-Kean University needs to focus on “being small and excellent,” keeping the small-class size but with enough student-faculty interactions to increase the quality of education. “I expect this university will continue cultivating students’ talents, producing scientific research, and boosting social and economic development in Wenzhou,” said Hao.