Ohio University will welcome educational leaders from China’s Hubei Province to campus on Friday, Jan. 18 with a reception and forum that is open to all faculty, staff, students and community residents.

The reception, which will begin at 1:15 p.m. in Baker University Center Room 231, will include six members of the Hubei Provincial Department of Education. They are visiting the state of Ohio to explore potential areas for collaboration and will be accompanied by Patrick McAloon, executive director of the U.S. Heartland-China Association, and Monica Xia, chair of the Greater Columbus Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

The state of Ohio and the Hubei Province established the first sister state/province relationship between China and the United States in 1979, and this year marks the 40th anniversary of this relationship. The relationship has included a wide range of collaborations with educational institutions in the state of Ohio, including student exchanges, special programs for college students and administrators, and training programs for higher education leaders.

The Jan. 18 visit will allow the Hubei Provincial Department of Education leaders to discuss potential areas of collaboration with Ohio University. Faculty, staff and students who have taken part in collaborative programs with China or who are interested in the potential of taking part in future projects with institutions in the Hubei Province are encouraged to attend the open forum. 

For additional information, please contact the Office of Global Affairs at 740-593-1840 or globalaffairs@ohio.edu.