Wenzhou-Kean University

Wenzhou-Kean University
Wenzhou-Kean University
Simplified Chinese	温州肯恩大学
Traditional Chinese	溫州肯恩大學
Hanyu Pinyin
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Wēnzhōu Kěnēn Dàxué

Wenzhou-Kean University (simplified Chinese: 温州肯恩大学; traditional Chinese: 溫州肯恩大學; pinyin: Wēnzhōu Kěn'ēn Dàxué) is a China-U.S. joint venture university located at Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China. It is a 500-acre (200 ha) Kean University satellite campus in the city of Wenzhou, in East China's Zhejiang Province. It went into full operation in 2014.^[1]

Wenzhou-Kean University would have been China’s first full-scale American-style university in 2007, but the plans became caught up in red tape by the Chinese central government.^[2] In December 2011, the Chinese government ultimately approved Kean University’s preliminary plans to establish a degree-granting branch campus in Zhejiang Province. The branch campus will begin as a three-year pilot program between Kean and Wenzhou University, with Chinese provincial and municipal governments funding the construction and operation. The Chinese Ministry of Education authorized an investment of 1.5 billion Chinese yuan — the equivalent of about $236 million — for the project. Meanwhile, Kean maintains academic control of the campus, making all curriculum and hiring decisions.^[3]

History

Kean University started building ties with the country in 1998, when the university enrolled close to 200 public officials, mostly from Zhejiang Province, in a Kean master's degree program in public administration. Over the years, Kean staff members have visited China 10 times, with President Dawood Farahi making two visits himself.

The City of Wenzhou, Wenzhou University and Zhejiang Province selected Kean University as its partner because of that longstanding relationship. Two classes each of 25 Wenzhou officials traveled to Kean University since then and spent 15 months earning Master of Public Administration degrees. These same officials had risen in government positions in the province and reached out to Kean to establish the full University campus in Wenzhou.^[1]

On May 8, 2006 Kean University President Dawood Farahi and a Chinese education department official signed the documents that would permit the construction of Kean University in China at a formal ceremony on Kean's Union Township campus. They were surrounded by high-ranking Communist Party officials from Zhejiang, the province where Kean University-Wenzhou would have been located.

Wenzhou-Kean University is a Chinese-American jointly established higher education institution with independent legal person status and limited liabilities. On November 16, 2011, the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China approved the application of preparation on establishing Wenzhou-Kean University that is cooperatively run by Wenzhou University and Kean University USA. On December 16, 2013, the Ministry of Education Panel led by Prof. HUANG Wei, the Academician from Chinese Academy of Sciences inspected and reviewed the application works for the establishment of the University. ^[1]

Campus and academics

Wenzhou-Kean University (WKU), set on approximately 500 acres in the beautiful mountainous region located in the south of Wenzhou, China, is one of three Sino-American cooperative universities along with NYU Shanghai and Duke Kunshan University that was approved by the Ministry of Education of China. Launched in 2012, WKU offers a unique model of higher education in partnership with Kean University, a comprehensive, public university in the state of New Jersey that is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. WKU currently enrolls about 3,500 undergraduate students (Fall 2021), and it is now in the midst of a rapid growth that will bring enrollment to 7,000 students within the next five years. All instruction is in English, and all curriculum is provided by Kean University. Students earn degrees conferred by Kean University and Wenzhou-Kean University.

Wenzhou-Kean University currently offers 18 undergraduate programs: Finance (B.S.), Accounting (with emphasis on international standards and practices) (B.S.), Global Business (B.S.), Marketing (B.S.), Management (Business Analytics option/ Supply Chain & Information Management option) (B.S.), Economics (B.S.), Graphic Design (B.F.A.), Interior Design (B.F.A), Industrial Design (B.I.D.), Architectural Studies (B.A.), Computer Science (B.S.), Mathematical Sciences (B.A.), Biology (Cell and Molecular option) (B.S.), Chemistry (B.S.), Earth Science (Environmental Science option) (B.S.), English (English in Global Settings option) (B.A.), Psychology (General option/Forensic Psychology option) (B.A.), and Communication (Public Relations option) (B.A.). In addition, WKU has been approved by the Ministry of Education for offering 8 Master’s and 3 doctorate programs. In academic year of 2022-2023, WKU offers the following graduate programs: Doctor of Educational Leadership (Ed.D.), Biotechnology Science (M.S.), Computer Information Systems (M.S.), Instruction and Curriculum (M.A.), Global Management (M.B.A.), Architecture (M.Arch.), Educational Administration (M.A.), Psychology (M.A.). Kean courses are offered either by faculty recruited by global search or by Kean faculty visiting from the U.S. campus. The Division of Academic Affairs is led by Dr. Eric Yang, the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, since March 2018.

The campus initially comprised a General Education Hall, a Training Building, two dining halls, the student dormitory complex, and the faculty housing complex. The College of Business and Public Management Building and the Athletics Center were brought into operation in 2018. The second student dormitory complex, the Ge Hekai Building housing Architecture, Design and Computer Science programs, the Science Laboratory Building, and the Stadium have been completed in 2021. The Student Learning and Activity (Library) and WKU Administration Building will be completed in 2022, and the College of Science and Technology building is expected to be completed in 2023. The second student dormitory complex with 4,000 beds and the second faculty housing complex (400 apartment units) in the east campus will be completed in the next three years.

Finances

The construction project and all costs of operating the University will be paid for through tuition and financing provided by the municipal and provincial governments in China. There will be no cost to Kean University or the state of New Jersey.^[1]

After the fourth year of operation, between 5 percent and 10 percent of annual revenue from tuition will be invested in curriculum development, program updates and instructional innovation, according to the agreement.

English immersion program

This intensive immersion program is designed to provide a competitive advantage to gifted and talented undergraduate and graduate students who plan to enter a higher education institution where the language of instruction is English. Many international students have difficulty with English, particularly as it relates to their chosen field of study. And even when they have sufficiently mastered the language, there are still social and cultural differences to deal with. The course of study begins by focusing on both enunciation and pronunciation, followed by public speaking training using specially structured interactive exercises. There are daily short writing assignments which receive both peer and faculty feedback. Each group of about ten students regularly works with a mentor to ensure that only English is being used. Primary instruction is provided by faculty with experience and expertise in ELT. Academic credits earned are eligible for transfer to any accredited US institution or to affiliated partners. Upon completion of the program, students will be well prepared to face the challenges of academic life in whichever university they choose.

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Administrative Report: Kean University To Open The First American University In China", Administrative Report Archived 2006-09-01 at the Wayback Machine; Union, New Jersey; June 12, 2006.
^ Centenary College closes satellite schools in China, Taiwan after finding rampant cheating, accessed July 25, 2010.
^ "Kean University gets approval from Chinese government to build degree-granting campus". www.nj.com. 22 December 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2012.

External links

[Cougar-1] "Administrative Report: Kean University To Open The First American University In China", Administrative Report Archived 2006-09-01 at the Wayback Machine; Union, New Jersey; June 12, 2006.

[2] Centenary College closes satellite schools in China, Taiwan after finding rampant cheating, accessed July 25, 2010.

[nj-3] "Kean University gets approval from Chinese government to build degree-granting campus". www.nj.com. 22 December 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2012.

[1]

[2]

[3]

v t e Kean University
Campuses	Campuses Main Campus Liberty Hall East Campus Ocean County satellite campus Wenzhou, China
Academics	Colleges Nathan Weiss Graduate College College of Business and Public Admninistration College of Education College of Humanities and Social Sciences College of Natural, Applied, and Health Sciences College of Visual and Performing Arts Schools Robert Busch School of Design School of Accounting and Finance School of Communication Disorders and Deafness School of Criminal Justice and Public Administration School of Curriculum and Teaching School of Environmental and Life Sciences School of General Studies School for Global Innovation and Education School of Management, Marketing and International Business School of Natural Sciences School of Nursing School of Psychology School of Social Sciences
Research and arts	Holocaust Recourse Center Kean University Human Rights Institute Liberty Hall New Jersey Center for Science, Technology and Mathematics Premiere Stages The Tower Wynona Moore Lipman Ethnic Studies Center
Athletics	Kean Cougars football Football coaches New Jersey Athletic Conference
People	Alumni, Faculty, Liberty Hall people, and Kean University Presidents

v t e Higher Education Institutions in Zhejiang
List of universities and colleges in China • Department of Education of Zhejiang Province
Military	People’s Armed Police: China Coast Guard Academy_Ningbo^{Deputy Army Level, Degree} • Non-commissioned Officer School_Hangzhou^{Division Level, Degree}
National	Ministry of Education: Zhejiang University^{DBC 985 211 Key P+M Degree} Ministry of State Security: University of International Relations, Hangzhou Campus^{Key Degree}
Hangzhou	Zhejiang University^{DBC 985 211 Key P+M Degree} China Academy of Art^{DBC P+M Degree} University of International Relations, Hangzhou Campus^{Key Degree} Zhejiang University of Technology^{P+M Degree} Zhejiang Gongshang University^{P+M Degree} Hangzhou Dianzi University^{P+M Degree} Zhejiang Chinese Medical University^{P+M Degree} Zhejiang A&F University^{P+M Degree} Zhejiang Sci-Tech University^Degree Hangzhou Normal University^Degree Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics^Degree China Jiliang University^{P+M Degree} Communication University of Zhejiang^{P+M Degree} Zhejiang Conservatory of Music^{P+M Degree} Hangzhou Medical College^Degree Zhejiang Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower^{P+M Degree} Zhejiang University of Science and Technology^Degree Zhejiang Police College^Degree Zhejiang International Studies University^Degree Zhejiang University City College^Degree Westlake University^{Private, Degree} Zhongfa Aviation University^{Foreign, Degree} Zhejiang Shuren University^{Private, Degree} Hangzhou Dianzi University Information Engineering School^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Hangzhou Normal University Qianjiang College^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Zhejiang Chinese Medical University Binjiang Institute^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Zhejiang Gongshang University Hangzhou College of Commerce^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Zhejiang Institute of Economics and Trade^{P+M Vocational} Zhejiang Police Vocational Academy^{P+M Vocational} Tourism College of Zhejiang^{P+M Vocational} Zhejiang Institute of Communications^Vocational Zhejiang Financial College^Vocational Zhejiang Vocational College of Commerce^Vocational Zhejiang Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering^Vocational Zhejiang College of Construction^Vocational Zhejiang Technical Institute of Economics^Vocational Zhejiang Vocational Academy of Art^Vocational Hangzhou Vocational and Technical College^Vocational Professional and Technological College of Zhejiang Electric Power^Vocational Zhejiang College of Sports^Vocational Zhejiang Tongji Vocational College of Science and Technology^Vocational Hangzhou Polytechnic^Vocational Zhejiang Vocational College of Special Education^Vocational Zhejiang Yuying College of Vocational and Technology^{Private, Vocational} Zhejiang Changzheng Vocational and Technical College^{Private, Vocational} Hangzhou Wanxiang Polytechnic^{Private, Vocational} Zhejiang Open University^Continuing Hangzhou Workers Part-time University^Continuing Zhejiang Provincial Level Organ Staff Part-time University^Continuing Zhejiang Staff University of Economics and Management^Continuing
Ningbo	Zhejiang University (Ningbo Campus)^{DBC 985 211 Key P+M Degree} Ningbo University^{DBC P+M Degree} Zhejiang Wanli University^Degree Ningbo University of Technology^Degree NingboTech University^Degree Zhejiang Pharmaceutical University^{Professional, Degree} Ningbo University of Finance and Economics^{Private, Degree} University of Nottingham Ningbo China^{Foreign, Degree} College of Science and Technology, Ningbo University^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Zhejiang Business Technology Institute^Vocational Ningbo Polytechnic^Vocational Zhejiang Fashion Institute of Technology^Vocational Ningbo Childhood Education College^{Vocational, Continuing} Ningbo City College of Vocational Technology^Vocational Ningbo College of Health Sciences^Vocational Ningbo Open University^Continuing
Wenzhou	Wenzhou Medical University^{P+M Degree} Wenzhou University^Degree Wenzhou Institute of Technology^Degree Wenzhou Business College^{Private, Degree} Wenzhou-Kean University^{Foreign, Degree} Wenzhou Medical University Renii College^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Zhejiang Industry and Trade Polytechnic^Vocational Zhejiang College of Security Technology^Vocational Wenzhou Vocational and Technical College^Vocational Wenzhou Vocational College of Science & Technology^Vocational Zhejiang Dongfang Polytechnic^{Private, Vocational} City University of Wenzhou (Wenzhou Open University, Wenzhou Workers Spare-time College)^Continuing
Jiaxing	Zhejiang University (Haining International Campus)^{DBC 985 211 Key P+M Degree} Jiaxing University^Degree Jiaxing Nanhu University^Degree Tongji Zhejiang College^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Oriental Institute of Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Jiaxing Vocational and Technical College^Vocational Jiaxing Nanyang Polytechnic Institute^{Private, Vocational} Jiaxing Education College^Continuing
Huzhou	Huzhou University^Degree Huzhou College^Degree Huzhou Vocational and Technical College^Vocational Zhejiang Yuxiang Vocational and Technical College^{Private, Vocational}
Shaoxing	Shaoxing University^Degree Zhejiang Yuexiu University^{Private, Degree} Zhijiang College of Zhejiang University of Technology^{Private, Degree, Independent College} College of Technology and Art of Zhejiang Sci-tech University^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Shaoxing University Yuanpei College^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Jiyang College of Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University ^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Zhejiang Agricultural Business College^Vocational Zhejiang Industry Polytechnic College^Vocational Zhejiang Post and Telecommunication College^Vocational Shaoxing Vocational and Technical College^{Private, Vocational}
Jinhua	Zhejiang Normal University^Degree Zhejiang Guangsha Construction Vocational and Technical College^{Private, Professional, Degree} Zhejiang Normal University Xingzhi College^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Shanghai University of Finance and Economics Zhejiang College^{Private, Degree, Independent College} China Jiliang University College of Modern Science and Technology^{Private, Degree, Independent College} Jinhua Vocational and Technical College^Vocational Yiwu Industrial and Commercial College^Vocational Zhejiang Hengdian College of Film & Television^{Private, Vocational} Zhejiang Jinhua Technology and Trade Polytechnic^{Private, Vocational} Jinhua Education College^Continuing
Quzhou	Quzhou University^Degree Quzhou Vocational and Technical College^Vocational
Zhoushan	Zhejiang University (Zhoushan Campus)^{DBC 985 211 Key P+M Degree} Zhejiang Ocean University^{P+M Degree} Zhejiang International Maritime College^Vocational Zhoushan Tourism and Health College^Vocational
Taizhou	Taizhou University^Degree Taizhou Vocational and Technical College^Vocational Taizhou Vocational College of Science and Technology^Vocational Zhejiang Automotive Vocational and Technical College^{Private, Vocational}
Lishui	Lishui University^Degree Lishui Vocational Technical College^Vocational
Unless otherwise stated, all the universities and colleges listed are provincial or municipal public universities and colleges. DBC : Double First Class University Plan; 985 : Project 985; 211 : Project 211; Key : National Key Universities; P+M : provincial and ministerial co-founded universities. ^Degree: institutions offering degree education; ^Professional: institutions offering professional training and certificates. ^Vocational: institutions offering vocational training and diploma. ^Private: privately founded. ^Foreign: Sino-foreign cooperative joint universities; ^Independent: Independent college affiliated to a university; ^Continuing: Continuing education institutions; ^Private: Privately founded As of April 2018, there were 108 higher education institutions in Zhejiang, among which 36 were private, and 9 Continuing education institutions.