President Bill Perry is looking to expand university relations with China as part of enrollment initiatives to build relations with other universities to bring more students, and further student opportunities.

A letter of intent was established with Dalian University of Technology in Dalian, China, along with possible relations with Central University of Finance and Economics in Beijing, China, during Perry’s weeklong trip to China.

He said while a Master of Business Administration degree in Dalian University is currently the focus, Eastern is looking for the possibility of building relationships in other programs.

“We are interested in other areas as well because we are a comprehensive university, but we got to start somewhere,” Perry said. “It’s a good place to start.”

Eastern also hopes to make connections with Central University in the finance and economics majors once a letter of intent is established with this university.

Perry said students seemed interested and were asked to send out further information to the university.

He said while the goal is to bring more international students to Eastern, relations could further facilitate having Eastern students and faculty study abroad in China.

“These letters anticipate connections going both ways,” Perry said. “I think building those relationships will be very positive for the university and for our students”

The letter of intent with Dalian University initiated an agreement of cooperation within Eastern and the university in several areas.

Areas include establishing teaching and research cooperation on “the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit,” according to the letter of intent.

Exchange and cooperation programs within both universities will consist of providing one to three exchange students with full scholarships.

Also, both universities agree to explore possibilities of a one plus three, two plus two, or four plus zero agreement for students interested in obtaining a bachelor’s degree.

Possibilities of one plus one and three plus two dual degree programs for those seeking a master’s degree will also be considered.

The plus programs requires students to serve one year at Eastern and one year at the other institution to earn their degree, or three years at their institution and one at Eastern, depending on the years set for the program.

The friendly cooperation within the universities will also consist of sponsoring each other’s academic program and send professors for courses.

Eastern currently has agreements with four other universities across China including Linyi, Hankou, Zhejiang, and Shenyang universities.

There is a general agreement with Linyi, relations with Zhejiang and Shenyang offer a bachelor’s to students interested in applied engineering and constructions, while the agreement with Hankou is for a bachelor’s in management.

Eastern’s international student enrollment increased this year by 29 percent, with Chinese students being the second largest group of international students on campus.

Most international Chinese students at Eastern typically choose majors in computer technology or business.

Perry said apart from the academic connections, having international students brings positive opportunities to all students.

“When we have international students here on campus and they get a chance to be in class with our students. (There are) great opportunities from people in other parts of the world,” he said. “Sometimes friendships strike up.”

Perry said during his trip to China, he learned about the job opportunities for Chinese students who study abroad.

“If a student from China can spend two years studying here, and get a degree from here and a degree from back there, then those students have an advantage in the job market in China, which has many firms,” he said.

Perry said studying in an English-speaking country also makes them more marketable.

“That international experience and being in an English-speaking country, whether it be in the United Kingdom, were they already have students going in general, Australia, or the U.S, then they have an advantage of the job market back there because of their English speaking ability,” he said.

Perry said making agreements with other universities is part of the goal.

“This is all connected to our strategic plan team of global competition and changing demographics,” he said.

Debby Hernandez can be reached can be reached at 581-2812 or dhernandez5@eiu.edu