Meeting Venue: Tai Lake Restaurant, Third Floor, Philadelphia Chinatown.
Introductions:
Samul, Philadelphia International Exchange Association (Foundation).
Wu Jie, Temple University, Computer Science research professor for 14 years.
Ji Haifeng, Drexel University, Chemistry research professor for 15 years, conservative research.
Ding Meixia, Temple University, Education professor specializing in primary education research.
Consul Yang Xiaoyu, Education Department, Chinese Consulate General in New York/HR from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Responsible for Sino-US exchanges.
Consul Qin Qilun, Education Department, Chinese Consulate General in New York. Facilitating university exchanges.
Yang Xiaolu, UPenn School of Medicine Biology professor for over 20 years.
Consul Yu Yougen, formerly with the China Education International Exchange Association, Deputy Secretary-General. Posted at the Washington Consulate 20 years ago. Responsible for student exchanges, the Chunhui Cup, academic and career exchanges.
Professor exchanges, scholarship applications.
Meng Hong, ACAS Chairperson.
Wang Xiaoyu, Philadelphia Education Bureau, bilingual language tutoring.
Student Introductions:
Drexel University:
Jerry Zhu, Vice Chair, Mechanical Engineering, Master & PhD.
Jie Xu, Vice Chair, Mechanical Engineering, PhD.
Wei Yu, Vice Chair, Mechanical Engineering, Undergraduate.
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn):
Molly Li, Chair, Biotechnology, PhD.
Over 2000 visiting scholars this year.
8 student union departments.
Temple University:
Qiaoyan Chen, Chair, Advertising, Undergraduate.
Wanlin Li, Vice Chair, Event Management, Undergraduate.
Yiwei Yu, Finance, Accounting, Undergraduate.
Danling Wu, Secretary, Advertising Design, Undergraduate.
Issues:
(Scholarship application by professors): Fewer applications in the Philadelphia-Pennsylvania area; scholarship students are unaware. Possible regional avoidance.
(Samul) Mismatch in employment:
Basic information: Philadelphia has a large number of college students, with an average city age of around 32.5. Pharmaceutical industry well-developed. 40% of university students are international, with 60% being Chinese. Goal: Encourage international students to integrate into mainstream society.
Teacher Meng: ACAS provided help during the pandemic, such as accommodation, meals, medical supplies, flight arrangements; student union exchanges; assistance for Asian students in communication; opportunities in mainstream society, further education; assisting Temple University in hosting approximately 150 Chinese principal groups; providing legal and economic help for student difficulties.
(Professor Yang Xiaolu) Difficulty and reduction in Sino-US relations affecting exchanges.
Vision: Return to a more open and free state as before & have more Chinese students come for further studies.
(Professor Wu Jie) Difficulty in obtaining Chinese student visas, many exchange programs suspended; very few direct flights.
Vision: Continue successful exchange programs; hope for more direct flights between Philadelphia and China. Samul is in talks with the mayor; limited cooperation between Chinese airlines and Philadelphia airport, currently, Japanese airlines have a greater possibility.
(Professor Ji Haifeng) Significant impact due to political reasons; ten-year visa issue resolved; consider how to protect Chinese students and scholars if Sino-US relations worsen.
Vision: Consider how to protect Chinese students and scholars if Sino-US relations worsen.
(Professor Ding Meixia) Promote primary school education and teacher exchanges between China and the US.
Vision: Promote primary school education exchanges between China and the US. There is a significant difference in math abilities between Chinese and American students, but both education systems have areas worth learning from. Teacher Meng: Previously organized visits of American primary and secondary school principals to China; recently, there have been programs in New York organizing exchanges of primary and secondary school teachers to China, if Philadelphia is interested, they can also organize such exchanges.
Drexel Student Union: Decrease in the number of international students; recommendations for Sino-US job opportunities. Samuel from the Philadelphia International Exchange Association & Teacher Meng can organize more job activities. Better connections between students and entrepreneurs. This year, international students can work as teachers in the US. Students are more interested in the Co-Up project. Students can join CBA. Plan ahead, actively search.
UPenn Student Union: Education & Life Sciences.
Approximately 80% of UPenn School of Education students are of Chinese descent.
UPenn’s public account can help with promotion.
Student unions organize many activities each year, such as freshman meetings & entertainment activities. Does the consulate have an Open Day? Work: Anti-discrimination. Increase safety awareness, seek school help. Find missing classmates & report to the police. Understanding students’ psychological and real needs can better solve problems.
Temple Student Union: Telecommunications fraud.
Any suggestions to prevent information leakage.”