[photopress:MBA_csun.jpg,full,alignright]CSUN stands for California State University. The university appears to be under the impression that the world knows this and it took considerable research on its web site to discover that simple fact.
Thus Doctor Zhixin (Justine) Su, seen in our illustration and CSUN’s international programs coordinator and director of CSUN’s China Institute, has her work cut out as she tries to establish ties between the university and China.
Dr. Su is the coordinator for International Programs, but that is not her only responsibility. She is also the director of the China Institute, a program designed to serve as a channel of communication and education between China and the California State University.
Doctor Su said, ‘The four missions of the China Institute are to promote friendship, understanding, cooperation and exchange.’
One way is through exchange programs. California State University currently has more than 40 sister schools in China and 12 scholarships are offered to CSUN students to study in China.
She said, ‘We try to encourage our faculty to travel to China for research. Now some of our faculty is spending their sabbatical leave in China. . .
‘Many of our former visiting scholars went back to China and became leaders in Chinese political, economic and educational institution. They play important roles in the democratic reform and economic development of China. . .
‘I’m serving as a bridge. Now I have this position in an American university and serve as in ideal vehicle for promoting this kind of association and developing this type of relationship with China. I feel very fortunate, really. It’s a lot of work, but its also very rewarding for me because I feel that I’m making a significant contribution to developing this wonderful relationship.’
Source: Sundial