Bowie State University’s efforts to explore new ways to provide students and faculty with more opportunities for international experience and study were encouraged by President Mickey L. Burnim’s recent visit to China. By opening the door for students to study internationally in places like China, the university hopes to offer students a broader and richer educational experience.

Burnim traveled to Beijing last month with representatives from the American Association for State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) to participate in the 2011 China Annual Conference for International Education hosted by the China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) and to meet with other higher education leaders. They discussed potential ways the university could partner with Chinese higher education institutions to provide international study abroad opportunities to students and faculty. Developing this type of partnership would also provide Chinese students with an opportunity to study at Bowie State University.

“International study provides a unique experience for students to develop a deeper understanding of cultures and societies across the world,” said President Burnim. “In China, I connected with leaders at Chinese higher education institutions with characteristics similar to Bowie State, including one teaching institution that we may like to partner with in the future.”

Students from Bowie State have studied abroad to a few nations including Ethiopia and Ghana over the past year. The university also has 77 international students from 18 different countries. Part of the mission of the Center for Global Engagement, which was launched in 2009, is to research and enhance study abroad programs at Bowie State.

President Burnim serves as chairman of the Board of Directors for AASCU. The organization has partnered with CEAIE in sponsoring this conference for the last 10 years.