Partnernship with China’s Dalian Jiaotong University Builds Bridges for the Next Generation of Engineers

Valparaiso University and Dalian Jiaotong University in China established a new joint engineering program to equip engineering students with necessary cross-cultural communication skills while developing technical engineering competence through established methods and approaches.

After studying engineering – with some courses taught in English – for two years in Dalian, China, a select group of Valpo’s inaugural class of Chinese students will move to the Indiana campus in fall 2016 to complete Valpo’s degree program. Here, American, Chinese, and other international students will work together — simulating the context they’ll experience after graduation — on innovative team projects to advance engineering tactics and create solutions for the world’s greatest challenges.

Additionally, Valpo students will have the opportunity to take some of their engineering courses in China, and faculty from Valpo’s College of Engineering will spend time teaching classes in Dalian.

“As our world becomes more globalized and tech-dependent, it is essential that Valpo continues to pursue relationships with international universities such as Dalian,” says Jaishankar Raman, Ph.D., assistant provost for international affairs. “We are hopeful that this program will bridge cultural gaps and fulfill a need to our partners around the world.”