A University of Minnesota delegation visited China in October, rekindling relationships with partner universities and connecting with alumni. It was the University’s first official visit to China since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The University of Minnesota has long-standing partnerships with the leading universities in China,” said Harvey Charles, vice provost for international programs and senior international officer, who led the delegation. “We were received warmly, and their desire to continue collaborating with us was as enthusiastic, if not more so, than prior to the pandemic.”

The delegation visited several of the University’s long-standing academic partners in China, including Fudan University, Peking University, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai University of Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Tsinghua University, the University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Xi’an Jiaotong University.

“Our partners are eager to resume student exchanges and research collaborations,” said Joan Brzezinski, executive director of the China Center. “The pandemic caused a long break in such activities, but our partners were excited to see us and reconnect.”

In Xi’an, the delegation attended the Leman China Swine Conference, organized by the College of Veterinary Medicine and University of Minnesota Extension and modeled after a similar conference held in the U.S. The annual event, which is the world’s largest swine industry conference, focuses on bringing science-driven solutions to the complex challenges facing the industry.

Charles and the delegation also met with alumni in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xi’an, and Beijing, with intimate gatherings allowing for many personal conversations.

“It was an honor and a true pleasure to connect and engage with such an inspiring group of individuals who have been part of our University community,” Charles said. “Our alumni are the essence of the University’s legacy, and seeing so many of them thriving and making meaningful contributions across various fields fills me with immense pride.”

Alumni engagement was a key component of an overlapping visit by Carlson School of Management leadership. Dean Jamie Prenkert was joined by representatives from the Carlson Global Institute, Institutional Advancement, and Alumni Relations in Shanghai and Guangzhou, as well as Seoul, South Korea. At a Shanghai reception with over 100 in attendance, Charles joined Prenkert in offering appreciation for this global alumni base.

“It was my first time visiting China and, though a return to South Korea, my first as Carlson dean,” said Prenkert. “Our alumni and friends in both China and South Korea are incredibly enthusiastic about being connected to the Carlson School. Many, independently, referred to Minnesota as their ‘second home.’”

Carlson leaders also welcomed the 22nd cohort of China Executive MBA (CHEMBA) students. This degree, which helps give students a globalized business view, represents a long-standing partnership with Lingnan College of Sun Yat-sen University. It was the first in-person inauguration ceremony since 2020.

“Trips by leadership delegations such as this highlight the many ways the University of Minnesota has an impact globally in ways large and small—whether it's research collaborations, alumni creating and running businesses, or just bringing people of different backgrounds and cultures together,” said Tim Wolf, director of international development at the University of Minnesota Foundation, who also participated in the China visit.