June 24, 2024 | Claire Hall

UConn Business Partners with Prestigious Chinese University to Enroll Top Grad Students

The Shandong University students, who will come to UConn starting in Fall 2025, can pursue degrees in financial technology, business analytics and project management, or financial and enterprise risk management.

In front, L to R, John A. Elliott, Shenghao Han, and Kent Holsinger, sit for a picture surrounded by key staff that helped create the partnership.

In front, L to R, John A. Elliott, Dean of the UConn School of Business, Shenghao Han, Dean of the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Shandong University, and Kent Holsinger, Vice Provost for Graduate Education sit for a picture surrounded by key staff that helped create the partnership. (UConn School of Business / Mat Krest)

The School of Business on Thursday signed a formal partnership with Shandong University in China, one of that nation’s top universities, enabling Shandong students to begin graduate coursework in China and complete their degrees at UConn.

The Shandong students, who will come to UConn starting in Fall 2025, can pursue degrees in financial technology, business analytics and project management, or financial and enterprise risk management.

Dean John A. Elliott welcomed Shenghao Han, Dean of the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Shandong University, and said the opportunity to align with one of China’s premier universities is exciting.

“Shandong’s students will be embraced by our faculty and our students. This is an exciting occasion and worth celebrating,’’ Elliott said, noting that the two colleges’ curricula are well matched.

Jose Cruz, associate dean for graduate programs at the School of Business, said two years ago the school set a goal to expand international partnerships. He was part of a team that traveled to Asia twice in the last year seeking the appropriate alliances.

“Before COVID-19, the UConn School of Business attracted many international students to its graduate programs. After the pandemic, the global higher-education market became increasingly competitive,’’ he said. “Partnering with prestigious universities worldwide allows UConn to access top-tier students, enhance research collaborations, and strengthen its global brand presence.’’

Shandong, with some 70,000 students on eight campuses, is consistently ranked among the Top 10 universities in China. That country is supporting Shandong on its quest for worldwide academic excellence.

Shandong University’s leadership will identify and nominate top students who would be strong candidates for the UConn program, and all UConn graduate admissions criterion apply. Cruz said he expects up to 15 students in the first cohort next year.

In brief remarks, Han said the young generation is the future and by studying together, the students from both nations will form friendships and learn about each other’s cultures. He hopes UConn faculty will exchange ideas with their Chinese counterparts and visit the Shandong campus, which is adjacent to the ocean and known for its beauty.

Meghan Hanrahan, executive director of master’s degree business programs, said she is extremely pleased with the agreement.

“We are especially excited because this seems like the right partnership because of the prestige of Shandong University, the quality of the students, and our common ground as public universities,’’ she said. “We think it will be especially successful.’’

Also in attendance at the ceremony was a team of experts who were able to negotiate the agreement quickly. They included: Kent Holsinger, Vice Provost for Graduate Education, Chinmoy Ghosh, head of the Finance Department, Michel Rakotomavo, academic director of the FERM Program, Jiajia Chen, associate director of international recruitment at the School of Business, and representatives from UConn’s Global Affairs program, including Marisa Tatiwong in Global Partnerships who provided the expertise for drawing up the new agreement.

“From our first meeting with Dean Han in late March in China, this partnership has been formed in just 80 days,’’ Chen said. “This showcases the strong commitment from both UConn and Shandong University, and our dedication to a long-term and robust partnership.’’

“I hope this is the first of many formal partnerships between UConn and universities in China, Taiwan, and other parts of the world,’’ said Arminda Kamphausen, director for global & sustainability initiatives at the School of Business. “This is incredibly exciting and we’re looking forward to having these students join us on campus.’’