In preparation for the establishment of a new division at UIC, a delegation visited America between 21 and 27 April and discovered how several US universities are running their music and arts programmes.
During their trip the delegates gathered information and took advice from music and art departments of universities in the US including: Oberlin College, St Catherine University, Augsburg College, Hamline University, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Hampshire College and Amherst College.
A dinner party by faculty members of Oberlin College for the UIC delegates
Whilst there, the UIC delegates created new collaborative ties and enhanced existing partnerships with these universities.
The delegates included: Prof Ng Ching-Fai, UIC President; Prof Mei-hwa Sung, Dean of the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences and Chairperson of the Committee for International Development; and Ms Mei Li, Assistant Director of International Development Office.
Their first port of call was Oberlin College, a top-ranked liberal arts college, where they visited the Conservatory of Music and the Allen Memorial Art Museum.
The president of Oberlin College, Marvin Krislov, expressed his support for the growing relationship between the two colleges. He also hosted a dinner party at his house for the UIC delegates, which was attended by some of the faculty members. Some of his colleagues came to UIC last March and others intend to visit UIC next year.
Marvin Krislov and Prof Ng Ching-Fai exchange souvenirs
The UIC delegates then visited facilities of the music departments at St Catherine University, Augsburg College and Hamline University. These colleges are member institutions of the Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC), and have cooperated with UIC in exchange programmes, summer programmes, intern programmes and more.
The UIC delegates and a student who is to exchange to UIC from Hamline University next semester
Highlights also included a meeting with Neil Abraham, the Executive Director of the Five College Consortium, and visits to the art and music departments of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Hampshire and Amherst College.
A meeting with Neil Abraham
“This second trip to Oberlin College, the MPCC colleges, and the Five College Consortium was more than a return to these lovely institutions we visited in late October of 2011,” said Prof Mei-hwa Sung. “This new trip was more fruitful and emotionally gratifying than the first one.”
She added, “President Krislov of Oberlin College is a firm believer in liberal arts education philosophy and is very keenly aware of the importance of and hard work involved in sustaining the first such college in China.
“The MPCC colleges are loyal old friends. They will come to UIC again this November for the Sino-American Liberal Arts Forum.
“In addition, we are making new friends with the University of Massachusetts Amherst by starting a summer programme in Hospitality and Tourism Management this year.”
Reporter: Deen He
Photos by IDO
(from MPRO, with special thanks to the ELC)
