51¸£ÀûÉç's business college develops dual degree program in China
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Guizhou University of Finance and Economics and Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business have inked a new agreement that enables students from the university in China to also earn a degree in accountancy from 51¸£ÀûÉç as part of a program that has students studying in both China and the United States.
"An education from a reputable U.S. university is highly valued in China," says Dr. Christina Stamper, associate dean of undergraduate programs for the college of business. "This new agreement is beneficial to the students because there is a lower cost associated with studying in the U.S., yet they are still able to earn a college degree from a well-respected university in the United States."
Stamper adds that the timing of the agreement is significant, noting that the Guizhou province experienced the highest economic growth in China last year, sparking an increased demand for accounting professionals.
About the program
Students in the program will spend three years at GUFE studying accounting with both their local professors and with professors from 51¸£ÀûÉç’s college of business, culminating in dual degrees from 51¸£ÀûÉç and GUFE. 51¸£ÀûÉç faculty will teach 10 business courses in China during the students’ first three years, including business core courses such as finance, marketing, management and several accountancy courses. During the fourth year, students will come to the University’s main campus in Kalamazoo to complete their studies.
Two 51¸£ÀûÉç accountancy faculty members, Drs. Mingming Feng and Roger Tang, will work with other faculty members to help the GUFE students both in China and in Kalamazoo to ensure they are on track to complete their degrees.
Stamper says that the college anticipates between 55 and 65 students per year to arrive in Kalamazoo beginning in the 2018-19 academic year. The initial agreement provides for five cohorts, running through 2025.
About Guizhou University of Finance and Economics
Located in the Guizhou province in southwestern China, GUFE is offers 51 undergraduate programs and numerous graduate programs. Its three campuses serve more than 25,000 undergraduate students and 1,000 graduate students and employ nearly 900 full-time faculty members.
For more information about the new agreement or other programs available from the Haworth College of Business, contact Stamper at christina.stamper@wmich.edu or call (269) 387-5050.