The University of Toledo

Officials from The University of Toledo and Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics (ZUFE) in China signed an agreement through which ZUFE will establish an undergraduate program of management in accounting with a concentration in U.S. accounting on its Hangzhou campus. That curriculum, in turn, will connect with the master of science in accounting degree program offered by the UT College of Business Administration.

As early as this fall, ZUFE students may be enrolled in a modified curriculum course that will further prepare them to pursue a graduate degree at The University of Toledo. Dr. Donald Saftner, UT professor and chair of accounting, went to ZUFE to help structure the courses.

ZUFE Vice President Teng Kai said, “This program is beneficial to both our universities, and this signing is of great significance to promote our students’ education and employment. This program enhances our connection from undergraduates to graduates. Through this, we will have a cohort studying here rather than individual students.”

“We are excited at the opportunity to continue to work more closely with the impressive faculty and students at Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics,” said Dr. Thomas Gutteridge, dean of the UT College of Business Administration. “This agreement also demonstrates the expertise and global impact of the UT College of Business Administration faculty and programs. By partnering with select universities around the world, the UT College of Business Administration increasingly impacts the development of tomorrow’s ethical business leaders.”

Dr. Aige Guo, UT interim director of Global Initiatives, said ZUFE wants to introduce an internationalized program in accounting and provide students with opportunities for further studies, which includes understanding American accounting systems.

“UT is playing an important role in facilitating internationalized education programs and providing professional knowledge exchange opportunities,” Guo said. She added that this program is expected to attract quality students through ZUFE from China as well as open cooperative research channels for faculty members at both universities.

“China is a transitional country, which is more and more open,” noted Wang Xiangyao, dean of the ZUFE School of Accounting. “We send students to the USA for the experience, to learn about technology, and to build the future. I am very active promoting this program because it is beneficial in obtaining and training new students, and very beneficial to our college. It is a very good entrance for both teachers and students.”

“We are very impressed with the beautiful campus, and the new facilities (Savage & Associates Complex for Business Learning and Engagement) are very nice,” Kai said. “I myself appreciate the long history of this university and the solid foundation of this college.”

An initial agreement that established a framework for program collaborations between ZUFE and UT was signed in 2008. ZUFE faculty members have visited the UT College of Business Administration the past two years to learn more about the academic and business environment of the area.

Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics was established in 1974 and currently has more than 20,000 students.

This entry was posted  on  Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 at  5:01 am and is filed under  News, UToday.
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