BJBIE Meeting With Alma College President

President of Alma College, Dr. Jeff Abernathy and Program Development Manager, Jim Burke

Beida Jade Bird International Education proudly welcomed the President of Alma College, Dr. Jeff Abernathy, to the DC headquarters for an in-depth conversation about possible collaborations with Alma College and BJBIE. As mentioned in our last meeting with the Provost of Alma College, Dr. Michael Selmon, Alma College is an excellent institution that has committed itself to ambitious goals to increase enrollment, attract students from diverse backgrounds both domestically and internationally, and push their academic offerings into new fields where students can be challenged and prepared for tomorrow’s dynamic economy.

Our substantial conversation touched on intensive Business in Chinese courses, cultural immersion programs, and the high expectations we both have for future pathway programs. While our work together is just beginning, large strides are being made to craft academically substantial programs that spark students' interest and continue the institutional progress seen under President Abernathy.

BJBIE seeks to partner with institutions like Alma College that are setting ambitious goals to move their school forward, set themselves apart from competitors, and most importantly address the demands of its current and future students. We believe our educational services can support these kinds of initiatives and lead to tangible results in the form of increased enrollment, broad course offerings, and increased study abroad. We look forward to future meetings with President Abernathy and representatives from other schools interested in similar institutional advancements. 

BJBIE Annual Meeting with Beijing and US Staff

Early December marked the annual year-end meeting hosted by Beida Jade Bird International Education’s headquarters in Beijing. This meeting was a chance to review 2011, itemize progress, and set plans for the next two years. This was also a chance for the DC staff to meet some new Beijing staff in person. This meeting was an excellent capstone to a busy and successful year.

The lead delegate from the US Branch to attend was Jim Burke, Manager of Program Development and Outreach. He made presentations to the Beijing staff on progress we have made in our pathway, cultural immersion, and language programs, and how we can replicate these successes in our partnership regions across the US. Successes like:

•       Our first group of pathway students started in September and have a whole semester complete! The semester went extremely smoothly with students totally engaged, faculty and local students supporting our group, and academic progress. Our students’ active roles through campus programming have given them the opportunity to make all kinds of new friends and contribute to their host campus. 

•       Our Business in Chinese language curriculum was fully adapted to the US semester system, and was boosted by supplemental DVDs on business etiquette. This curriculum zeros in on tomorrow’s most important business relationship, and uses language to foster a strong understanding of both cultures. Our conference exhibit at November’s ACTFL Conference proved this to many teachers and administrators.

•       Cultural immersion programs scheduled for January and Summer 2012 will bring American students to Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, and Sichuan. These are all unique and exciting opportunities for US students to see the dynamic and diverse Chinese cultural from different perspectives.

Our Beijing Office introduced DC staff to the regional partners across provincial and regional China – with over five provincial offices, and seven city-specific offices created in the last year. This established and strong presence is the beginning of a broad network for educational programs that will include regional offices in the U.S. and new headquarters overseas in UK, Germany, Australia, and Japan. This network will provide services and support for all partners interested in developing their market’s international programming needs around the world!

The annual meeting set strong goals to continue our progress and challenge all partners, which makes us all even more excited for 2012.

 

BJBIE Meets Education Minister Counselor Fang in DC

On Nov 15, 2011, Minister Counselor Fang Maotian of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China’s Department of Educational Affairs met with senior officials of BJBIE. BJBIE attendees at the meeting included Senior Vice President of Beida Jade Bird Group, Mr. Zhang Wanzhong, and the Senior Manager of BJBIE, Ms. Abby Chang.

Zhang Wanzhong, Minister Fang, and Abby Chang

During the meeting, Minister Fang gave an overview about the deepening international education exchanges between US and China.  He also introduced the major educational and cultural exchange programs initiated and oversaw by his office. On behalf of the Beida Jade Bird Group and BJBIE, Mr. Zhang thanked Minister Fang for making special meeting arrangements and he also briefed the Minister about the key exchange initiatives that BJBIE is undertaking.  Mr. Zhang also shared BJBIE’s company vision and the corresponding strategic roadmap. 

Minister Fang congratulated BJBIE’s establishment and success in the US. He suggested that as the leading Chinese international education company, BJBIE should take advantage of all the social and industrial events organized and sponsored by his office in Washington DC and other states. He made a special note that BJBIE is always invited to attend relative educational events in the future.

Mr. Zhang said the acknowledgement from the highest Chinese educational office in the United States is very encouraging, providing further motivation for BJBIE in its pursuit of promoting international education exchanges between US and China.  

At the end of the meeting, Mr. Zhang extended his sincere invitation to Minister Fang to visit BJBIE’s US headquarter as his schedule permits. Mr. Fang gladly accepted the invitation and said he would be happy to visit in the future.  Through the meeting, official collaboration and communication channels have been established,  and BJBIE further strengthened its position as one of the most prominent and well-recognized international education companuis serving the US and Chinese market.

On that cheerful note, we are sincerely expecting Mr. Fang’s visit to our office in the near future. 

BJBIE Meets with Alma College to Discuss Potential Collaboration

On December 2, 2011, BJBIE met with the provost of Alma College, Michael Selmon.  BJBIE was introduced to Alma College through their affiliation with the Osgood Center and their exceptional Model UN programs.  

Jing Xu, Michael Selmon, and Christine Kahler

Alma College is a private liberal arts college in Alma, Michigan with a student population of around 1,500.  It has a remarkably low student/faculty ratio – 13:1 – meaning students are guaranteed more personal relationships with their professors and a small community feel on campus.  Alma boasts particularly strong programs in biology, environmental studies, biotechnology, cellular and genetic studies, and physiology and health sciences among others.  They are also known to have an outstanding performing arts program that includes choir, orchestra, theater and dance.

BJBIE and Selmon discussed possible future areas of collaboration between organizations through a unique business model that would integrate Pathway Programs, the promotion of Business in Chinese language curriculum into their Chinese program, and providing more cultural immersion opportunities for Alma’s students in China.  Alma College operates on a 4-4-1 academic calendar with 14-week terms in the fall and winter and a four-week term in May, which allows students the opportunity to pursue international programs during the May term.  BJBIE believes the marriage of the three programs at Alma College will provide the ideal synergy to enhance the college’s China-focused curriculum and programming, providing more opportunities for American students to engage in the Chinese language and culture, and affording the opportunity for Chinese students to immerse themselves in a top-rate small liberal arts college in the US.  

BJBIE truly enjoyed their meeting with Alma College and the accompanying parties.  We believe the meeting was a huge success, and look forward to working with Alma College in the future.