On the morning of April 28, 2016, a delegation of Syracuse University visited Beijing Normal University. Led by Professor Joanna O. Masingila, Dean of School of Education, the delegation included Heather Allison Waters, Assistant Dean for Advancement and Associate Professor Jing Lei, Global Outreach Representative. The delegation was warmly received by Professor Chen Li, Vice President of Beijing Normal University. Also at the meeting were Vice Dean of Faculty of Education Li Jiayong, Vice Dean Zhu Xudong, Assistant Dean Liu Qiang, Deputy Director of Office of International Exchange and Cooperation Xiao Kai and Program Specialist Zheng Zhen, Director of FOE International Exchange Office Wu Haitao and Coordinator Su Shana.

At the meeting, Vice President Chen Li extended her warm welcome to the delegation and gave a brief introduction about Beijing Normal University. Vice Dean Li Jiayong and Dean Joanna O. Masingila gave remarks and introduced their represented faculty/school. This is the first time representatives from these two universities have sat together to explore potential cooperation opportunities, such as Study Abroad Program and Dual Degree Programs. Both sides were very excited and expressed strong interests on future collaboration. Dean Masingila mentioned that Syracuse School of Education was looking to start a Master’s Program in International and Comparative Education. Cooperation with BNU would help add an International flavor to the program. Dean Masingila also decided to send another team of faculty members to BNU next June or July to find common interests. BNU representatives also believed that this meeting was a good start for more frequent mutual visits in the future and would help promote collaboration between the two institutes.