President’s column: China visit strengthens liberal arts partnership
In November 2005 a delegation from the Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC) heard an inspiring presentation by the newly selected leader of the first sanctioned liberal arts college in China in 60 years. The United International College (UIC) in Zhuhai was formed from a partnership of Beijing Normal University and Hong Kong Baptist University. Professor Edmund S.T. Kwok expressed the desire to find partners for his fledgling college who both understand the traditions of the liberal arts and could envision its powerful roles in the future. After many visits and discussions with members, MPCC signed an umbrella partnership agreement with UIC in 2006. Professor Kwok has visited Minnesota twice and student and faculty exchanges are being planned.
(l. to r.) David Laird, MPCC; Paul Pribbenow, Augsburg College; Larry Goodwin, College of St. Scholastica; Edmund Kwok, UIC.
When a delegation from the Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC) visited its new partner institution in Zhuhai, China last month, the delegation members were astounded by an impressive set of campus structures already in use. Many had seen pictures of the bulldozed area for the campus just 15 months earlier and the transformation was startling. But what was more impressive was the advancement of the bold vision and mission of UIC as an institution.
Derived from the historical roots of the traditional liberal arts, UIC’s purpose is to educate the pampered and self-possessed Chinese youth for a lifetime of leadership and service in a global context. The vision assumes a rather traditional classroom curriculum complemented by a broad array of group experiences to teach the basic elements of leadership, teamwork, and sensitivity to radically different cultures. In their terms, this emphasis on the “whole person” is intended as a complement to the rather sheltered upbringing of these students and the urgent need to prepare them for the leadership that will be expected of their generation.
Broadening the relationship
The November visit was designed to broaden the emerging relationship between UIC and MPCC and to begin two traditions of the partnership. The first was a purposeful conversation about the future roles of the liberal arts in our partnership and in the higher education enterprise. The second was the inauguration of a series of presidential lectures about the foundations of the liberal arts and their importance to our common future.
The most distinguishing features of the first day of a two-day conference were the reflections of students and faculty from UIC who had participated in off-campus group explorations in the summer of 2007. The reports from students and faculty were compelling. Students said that they learned many new skills and that some of their experiences were life-changing. Given students’ backgrounds, the depth of their reflections was most impressive. Even the parents in attendance seemed surprised and delighted with the reports.
The second day was reserved for presidential lectures. Professor Kwok and former Augsburg College President William Frame set the stage by reminding the audience of the need for continuing dialogue as an integral part of a liberal arts experience. Reflecting both the institutional support for UIC and his personal commitment to the liberal arts, the first lecture by Professor Ng Ching Fai, president of Hong Baptist University, was a public confirmation of the commitments to the future of UIC and the importance of the liberal arts in higher education in China and beyond. This was followed by lectures from MPCC members President Larry Goodwin of the College of St. Scholastica, (“Liberal Education as a Moral Project”) and President Paul Pribbenow of Augsburg College, (“A Civic Education: Wisdom and Citizenship”). Both lectures were impressive recitations of their own personal explorations in the liberal arts and the importance of both teaching of the liberal arts and reaching out into the broader community as an essential element of its practice.
Looking to the future
The final section of the two-day conference was an opportunity to share publicly the purposes and hopes of the partnership between UIC and MPCC. The leadership of both organizations encouraged all participants — including students, to assist in the further development of the partnership and to adapt to changing circumstances and opportunities. In addition, Professor Kwok spoke of the growing interest in using the partnership as the touchstone for a project to explore and expand Minnesota’s broader relationships in China.
The next chapters in this partnership may indeed be the most exciting as more faculty and students take advantage of the opportunities to work within its flexible framework. MPCC will continue to facilitate this partnership and support the many other academic initiatives of MPCC members in China.