Chairman Zhang Jindong and President John Haeger

NAU signs agreement with
Chinese university
NAU and Fujian Normal University in Fuzhou, China, have signed an agreement that will eventually lead to a partnership between the two universities, offering exchanges of students and professors.

Officials from both institutions signed the agreement Dec. 10 in the Babbitt Administrative Center.

"Our faculty and students are learning in a global environment," said NAU President John Haeger. "They must think broader than their own institution and their own country. This (agreement) opens the door for an exchange of students and scholarship."

Zhang Jindong, chairman of the administration committee and head of the delegation for Fujian Normal, said he sees the agreement as beneficial to both universities and both countries. "There are differences between Chinese and American cultures," he said. "However, both universities started as teachers' colleges. We have so many similarities and so much in common.

"I am so happy to sign this memorandum," Zhang added. "I believe this will be a very good start to a win-win situation."

After signing the agreement, Haeger and Zhang exchanged gifts. NAU presented Fujian representatives with Native American fetishes and pottery. NAU representatives received Chinese lacquer ware.