Kean University-Wenzhou

Wenzhou-Kean University (simplified Chinese: 温州肯恩大学; traditional Chinese: 溫州肯恩大學; pinyin: Wēnzhōu Kěn'ēn Dàxué) is a 500-acre (200 ha) Kean University satellite campus in the city of Wenzhou, in East China's Zhejiang Province. It went into full operation in 2014.[1]

Wenzhou-Kean University would have been China’s first full-scale American-style university in 2007, but the plans became caught up in red tape by the Chinese central government.[2] In December 2011, the Chinese government ultimately approved Kean University’s preliminary plans to establish a degree-granting branch campus in Zhejiang Province. The branch campus will begin as a three-year pilot program between Kean and Wenzhou University, with Chinese provincial and municipal governments funding the construction and operation. The Chinese Ministry of Education authorized an investment of 1.5 billion Chinese yuan — the equivalent of about $236 million — for the project. Meanwhile, Kean maintains academic control of the campus, making all curriculum and hiring decisions.[3]

History

Kean University started building ties with the country in 1998, when the university enrolled close to 200 public officials, mostly from Zhejiang Province, in a Kean master's degree program in public administration. Over the years, Kean staff members have visited China 10 times, with President Dawood Farahi making two visits himself.

The City of Wenzhou, Wenzhou University and Zhejiang Province selected Kean University as its partner because of that longstanding relationship. Two classes each of 25 Wenzhou officials traveled to Kean University since then and spent 15 months earning Master of Public Administration degrees. These same officials had risen in government positions in the province and reached out to Kean to establish the full University campus in Wenzhou.[1]

On May 8, 2006 Kean University President Dawood Farahi and a Chinese education department official signed the documents that would permit the construction of Kean University in China at a formal ceremony on Kean's Union Township campus. They were surrounded by high-ranking Communist Party officials from Zhejiang, the province where Kean University-Wenzhou would have been located.

Wenzhou-Kean University is a Chinese-American jointly established higher education institution with independent legal person status and limited liabilities. On November 16, 2011, the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China approved the application of preparation on establishing Wenzhou-Kean University that is cooperatively run by Wenzhou University and Kean University USA. On December 16, 2013, the Ministry of Education Panel led by Prof. HUANG Wei, the Academician from Chinese Academy of Sciences inspected and reviewed the application works for the establishment of the University. [1]

Campus and Academics

Set on approximately 300 acres in a rural, mountainous region in Wenzhou, the campus was designed with an American-style concept, offering students, staff and visitors a true, authentic American experience. The campus was divided into three primary zones, with an academic section at the center. A Cultural/Retail/Housing zone will be located on the left and to the outside of this section. A Residential/Athletic/Recreational zone will then wrap above these two areas.

Kean plans to enroll some 150 students in the first year of Wenzhou-Kean University in 2012 to work out start-up problems and get approvals from Kean’s accrediting body and New Jersey. Enrollment is expected to reach 5,000 full-time students by Fall 2016. Classes are taught in English by Kean University professors and also those who were recruited from other English-speaking countries, and students will earn degrees from Kean. The initial programs Kean would offer include finance, accounting, international business, English and computer science, according to the agreement between Kean and Wenzhou. All classes are taught in English with all accreditation standards being held to those established by the Middle States Accreditation body, and students will earn degrees issued by Kean University. Kean University supplies all academic personnel, programs and course materials. Students enrolled at Wenzhou-Kean University will have access to the same digital resources as Kean students in the U.S. by logging into a portal with their student ID. Kean students will also have opportunities to study in China while paying only the in-state tuition and fees they would pay if residing in New Jersey.[1]

Wenzhou-Kean University (WKU) had 204 students enrolled in 2012 and has over 800 students enrolled today. Most of the current students are from China's Zhejiang Province. WKU offers 7 majors including English, Computer Science, Finance, Accounting, Graph Design, Marketing, and Global Business. WKU also recruits students who reside outside of Zhejiang Province, (including, as of Fall 2016, in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macao).

From November 2014 to December 2017 the Division of Academic Affairs was led by the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Holger Henke. During that time several new majors were rolled out, various student support services implemented, and the student body grew from 850 to ca. 1,950.

Finances

The construction project and all costs of operating the University will be paid for through tuition and financing provided by the municipal and provincial governments in China. There will be no cost to Kean University or the state of New Jersey.[1]

After the fourth year of operation, between 5 percent and 10 percent of annual revenue from tuition will be invested in curriculum development, program updates and instructional innovation, according to the agreement.

English Immersion Program

This intensive immersion program is designed to provide a competitive advantage to gifted and talented undergraduate and graduate students who plan to enter a higher education institution where the language of instruction is English. Many international students have difficulty with English, particularly as it relates to their chosen field of study. And even when they have sufficiently mastered the language, there are still social and cultural differences to deal with. The course of study begins by focusing on both enunciation and pronunciation, followed by public speaking training using specially structured interactive exercises. There are daily short writing assignments which receive both peer and faculty feedback. Each group of about ten students regularly works with a mentor to ensure that only English is being used. Primary instruction is provided by faculty with experience and expertise in ELT. Academic credits earned are eligible for transfer to any accredited US institution or to affiliated partners. Upon completion of the program, students will be well prepared to face the challenges of academic life in whichever university they choose.

See also

Wenzhou-Kean University

References
  1. "Administrative Report: Kean University To Open The First American University In China", Administrative Report Archived 2006-09-01 at the Wayback Machine; Union, New Jersey; June 12, 2006.
  2. Centenary College closes satellite schools in China, Taiwan after finding rampant cheating, accessed July 25, 2010.
  3. , accessed January 10, 2012.

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