Visiting Chinese students and professors pose with University of Houston-Victoria President Tim Hudson, back row center, and UHV business faculty during a reception Friday at the University of Houston System at Sugar Land. The Chinese students and professors are taking UHV classes this semester through partnership agreements the university has with five universities in China.

SUGAR LAND – University of Houston-Victoria business faculty members and President Tim Hudson hosted a reception last week for 20 Chinese graduate students and professors taking business classes in Sugar Land and Katy this semester.

The reception took place Friday at the University of Houston System at Sugar Land, where UHV offers classes.

The students are visiting from the Zhejiang University of Science and Technology in Hangzhou, Xi’an International Studies University in Xi’an and Hohai University in Nanjing. They are working toward their Global Master of Business Administration degree as part of agreements UHV signed in 2007 with five universities in China.

"These partnerships offer the students and professors from both countries an opportunity to learn so much from each other,” said Jifu Wang, interim dean of the UHV School of Business Administration.

The students take eight Global MBA foundation courses from one of the Chinese universities using textbooks and syllabi approved by UHV. The Chinese students then come to the United States for a year or two to finish their degrees. This semester, the students are taking courses at both UHSSL and the University of Houston System at Cinco Ranch, where UHV also offers programs.

Chinese students Kai Li, left, and Linyi Du volunteer with Anuva Banik, international student services coordinator for the UHV School of Business Administration, at the Tiger Ball hosted on Feb. 26 by the Asia Society of Texas at the Intercontinental Hotel in Houston.

The students have stayed busy during their time in the United States, Wang said. On Feb. 26, some of them volunteered at the U.S.-China Business Conference and Tiger Ball hosted by the Asia Society of Texas at the Intercontinental Hotel in Houston. Speakers discussed increasing China/U.S. business relations and promoting entrepreneurship.  

Business professors Hui Fengting, left, and Ruan Yin from Zhejiang University of Science and Technology in Hangzhou are two of three Chinese professors auditing UHV business courses this semester.

Three visiting Chinese business professors also were honored at Friday’s reception at UHSSL. Ruan Yin and Hui Fengting from Zhejiang University, and Mei Mao from Xi’an International Studies University are auditing UHV business courses this semester so that they can better teach the classes in China.

“I am enjoying my time in the Houston area and will be able to take a lot of good information back to my students in China,” Fengting said.

Hudson said the agreements with the Chinese universities are good for everyone involved.

“These agreements are just another step toward UHV’s goal of internationalization,” Hudson said. “We will continue to explore partnerships with universities in other countries so that our students graduate with a truly global perspective.”