Zeynep Hansen, associate dean for academic programs and scholarship in the Boise State College of Business and Economics, and Troy Hyatt, chair of the Department of Accountancy, visited Beijing Normal University Zhuhai in April.
Hansen and Hyatt were in China to sign an agreement that will make it possible for accounting students at the Beijing university to transfer credits to Boise State and continue their studies, earning degrees from both universities.
While in China, Hansen and Hyatt met with prospective students and university faculty. Hyatt gave a talk on the academic and professional requirements for pursuing a career as a certified public accountant in the United States.
Four Chinese students participating in the new program will come to Boise fall 2018.
“We expect this number will grow quickly as more students enter Beijing Normal University Zhuhai with the intention to transfer to Boise State,” said Gonzalo Bruce, assistant provost for the Center for Global Education.
The agreement eventually could open doors for Boise State students interested in traveling to Beijing for brief periods of study.
“We have expressed interest that in the future we’d like to see COBE students experience China in a short-term program,” said Bruce. “BNUZ is located in Zhuhai, an economically strong region of China next to Shenzhen, the technological hub of China.”
This kind of program is “unique and strategic for Boise State,” said Bruce. A lot of planning and research involving COBE, as well as the university registrar and other academic departments, went into designing the program, including assessing the curriculum at the Chinese university and establishing course equivalencies at Boise state.
“In sum, these programs are a campus-wide effort,” said Bruce.
Campus-wide benefits include expanding Boise State’s global reputation and attracting more international students.
“Idaho students will share the classroom with students coming from one of the strongest global economies. Classroom interaction with international students provides unique opportunities to learn new cultural perspectives and ways of doing business,” said Bruce.
The agreement will be valid for five years and may be renewed at that time.