April 21 to 23, a delegation of 12 Duke University trustees visited Kunshan, China, to learn first-hand about Duke Kunshan University’s development in education and research.
The leadership team of Duke Kunshan University, including Chancellor Liu Jingnan and Executive Vice Chancellor Denis Simon, delivered a detailed presentation on the university’s young history and strategic vision, with a focus on the planning and launch of a proposed undergraduate degree program.
Duke Trustees Meeting with Duke Kunshan Leadership
In addition to formal meetings with Duke Kunshan administrators and visiting a Duke Kunshan class, the delegation also had opportunities to meet with faculty members and students to learn about their experiences on campus.
Thomas Gorrie, former vice president of Johnson & Johnson, said after observing the International Management in China class, ‘In the classroom I observed a lot of interaction, questions and comments. There was a quite lively exchange. Students demonstrated a great understanding of what the professor was saying, and hopefully they will use this understanding to move forward in their careers.’
Duke Trustees Taking Campus Tour
The delegation also joined Duke Kunshan Advisory Board members in advising on the university’s future development and planning at the Advisory Board’s 2016 Annual Meeting on April 23. Drawing on their experience serving on the Duke University Board of Trustees, they posed a number of challenging questions and offered advice on a broad range of issues concerning Duke Kunshan’s strategic development, student recruitment, fund-raising, and public awareness. A great deal of attention was focused on the planning of the proposed undergraduate program at Duke Kunshan. ‘The launch of the new undergraduate program represents a potentially transformational opportunity that could influence the trajectory of Chinese higher education in a profound way,’ commented Denis Simon, who presented an overview of the new proposed curriculum.
Duke Trustees at the Duke Kunshan Advisory Board 2016 Annual Meeting
To fully understand the broad context of Duke Kunshan University’s development, the delegation met with Kunshan leaders and visited three local high-tech research and development enterprises. They discussed with industry leaders opportunities for cross-border collaboration in research and education. ‘When we look at the strong electronic, biomedical and manufacturing industry, the possibility of tying Duke Kunshan University and Duke University with Kunshan points to a very bright future together with many unique possibilities,’ said Shepard Moyle, chairman and owner of Shindigz and a Duke University trustee.
Duke Trustees at KONE Elevator Factory in Kunshan
‘I am proud to see Duke Kunshan University’s establishment and its recent achievements,’ said Gao Xiqing, former vice chairman of China Investment Corporation, Duke University trustee and Duke Kunshan University Advisory Board member, ‘As a fledgling world-class university, Duke Kunshan still has a long way to go. But if you look back at what we are doing now 20 years or even 50 years later, you will find out what a great cause we are engaged in.’
The visit of both Boards occurred against the backdrop of a meeting between Duke President Richard Brodhead and Chinese Vice-Premier LIU Yandong. The meeting, which occurred in Beijing at China’s Zhongnanhai compound, provided a chance to discuss the role of education and science and technology cooperation in the Sino-U.S. relationship. Vice-Premier Liu expressed her strong support for the Duke Kunshan University venture and thanked the three partners’Duke University, Wuhan University, and Kunshan Municipality’for their strong commitment to real meaningful cooperation.
About Duke University Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is the governing body of Duke University. As the university’s fiduciary, the board is responsible for Duke’s long term health, overseeing and aligning its strategic direction, educational policy, finances and operations with the mission of the university. The Board of Trustees performs much of its work through committees that can engage deeply in topics of importance to the University. The Board elects the members of all Trustee committees, which include Trustees, faculty, and students. The Board of Trustees currently has nine standing committees and may establish other committees and subcommittees as needed.
