FOSHAN CITY,
China — Middle Tennessee State University signed a pact to become the first
American university to establish formal ties with an institute in China’s
leading design center for household appliances and technology.
The agreement with the Research Institute of Industrial Design was
secured during a two-day visit by an MTSU delegation to the Shunde District in
China’s Guangdong Province. MTSU’s visit to Guangdong concluded Monday.
The pact signed by MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee and Xu Xuyan, deputy director
of the Education Bureau of Shunde District, allows the university to develop an
exchange program for students to work with the institute. It also allows joint
research, giving MTSU a potential outlet to participate in Shunde-based projects.
Shunde, once a
traditional agricultural county, has been transformed into a modern industrial
complex. Dubbed the “Capital of Home Appliances of the World,” it is a leader
in the production of electric fans, cookers, microwave ovens and other
household appliances. It is also one of the world’s largest producers of
furniture.
“We will look at our resources and expertise at MTSU, then
identify the areas where we can help you,” McPhee told Xu. “We would like to
partner with the Industrial Design City, with our students having a experience
similar to internships.
“Our students can relate to you what our market wants and
needs and how to capture consumer attention,” he said. “And you can help them
understand the market forces outside of the United States.”
The agreement was forged at one of the stops of a seven-city tour by the
MTSU delegation to create or strengthen relationships with Chinese
institutions. McPhee and state Senate Majority Caucus Chairman Bill Ketron,
R-Murfreesboro, a 1976 graduate of MTSU, are leading the delegation.
The agreement was reached after a round of final negotiations at the
office of Totin Worldwide Commercial Co. in the Guangdong Base of Industrial
Design.
Ketron, who represents District 13 in the state Senate, said
the relationship could help innovations developed by MTSU faculty and students
reach a global audience.
“In Tennessee, we often miss the link between having the
idea and getting to market,” he said. “We must get good ideas to market faster
and start putting things on the shelf for sale. That’s how we generate money
for our economy.”
Xu described the deal as “very important for our area.”
“Your students can do projects and bring ideas to our industries,”
he said. “I think it’s a win-win choice.”
McPhee and the delegation toured innovations on display at the offices of
Totin and an exhibition at the Base of Industrial Design – including a
prototype apartment for the elderly with specially geared kitchen, bathroom and
living room appliances.
The delegation’s trip to Guangdong Province also included meetings with
officials of the CIBT International College at Guangzhou University, where MTSU
hopes to establish formal ties later this year. McPhee also lectured to Guangzhou
students about study-abroad opportunities at MTSU.
No comments:
Post a Comment