The Agreement on the Collaborative Bachelor’s Degree Program of Fire Protection and Safety Technology was signed online between Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU) and Oklahoma State University (OSU) of United States at 8:00 p.m. on May 20, 2021 (7:00 a.m. EST). Presidents Yang Dan and Burns Hargis were present at the ceremony and SWJTU Vice President Yao Faming hosted the ceremony.
In his speech at the ceremony, President Yang Dan highlighted that the collaboration between SWJTU and OSU has generated fruitful outcomes and complemented the development of both universities in scientific research, teaching, and faculty and student exchanges. Since the approval of the Collaborative Bachelor’s Degree Program of Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology by the Ministry of Education of China in January 2017, more than 200 students have been admitted over the past four years and the achievements are impressive. The program has availed both universities of precious opportunities to learn from each other's campus cultures and experiences.
President Burns Hargis expressed his gratitude for the efforts of both parties in the process of project negotiation and promotion. Apart from the existing program, he would look to channeling resources into other programmes for educational and scientific research cooperation and deepening the cooperation between the two universities based on the progress made so far.
Liu Guoxiang, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering at SWJTU, reported the updates of the program, and Paul Tikalsky, Dean of the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology at OSU, released the list of graduates of this program at the signing ceremony.
Other participants witnessing the ceremony include Randy Kluver, Associate Provost and Dean of the School of Global Studies and Partnerships, Randy Seitsinger, Associate Dean of the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology, Vivian Wang, Director of Global Partnerships, and Virginia Charter, Program Coordinator of Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology program, from OSU, Secretary Guan Qinchuan, Deputy Secretary and Vice-dean Xu Junhua, Deputy Secretary Fu Yougang, Vice-dean Zhang Yuchun of the Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Director Ren Xinhong and Deputy Director Xu Weiping of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchanges, from SWJTU, and representatives of faculty and students of both universities. Group photos were taken to mark the milestone of cooperation.
