News

The School of Continuing Education (SCE) and Shenandoah University (SU) solidified their commitment to fostering online educational exchange by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This partnership represents a significant step towards enriching educational and intercultural opportunities for students.

The signing ceremony was attended by Professor Ronald Chung, Dean of SCE, Professor Amy Sarch, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs at SU, and Professor Jeff Coker, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, along with other teaching colleagues from SCE. Both parties expressed their satisfaction and appreciation for the collaboration, highlighting the potential benefits it brings to students and the academic community.

The strategic partnership between SCE and SU aims to facilitate academic cooperation and promote virtual exchange initiatives. The collaboration encompasses various modes of engagement, such as jointly organising conferences, symposia, and seminars, as well as facilitating student exchanges through virtual programmes. These initiatives provide students with invaluable opportunities to engage in cross-cultural interactions and broaden their horizons.

By embracing innovative approaches like Pre-Collaborative Online International Learning (Pre-COIL), Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) and extracurricular virtual exchange opportunities, students can actively collaborate with peers from SU. This partnership will equip them with valuable knowledge and exposure to diverse cultures, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for global perspectives while nurturing their intercultural competencies.

The signing of the MOU represents a significant milestone in pursuing academic excellence and internationalisation for the two institutions. It opens up exciting prospects in global education, empowering students to become global citizens equipped with the skills and insights necessary to thrive in an interconnected world.

The agreement with SU marks SCE’s second collaboration with an overseas institution since the establishment of the SCE Virtual Exchange Centre in September 2022, with Kansai University, Japan being the first partner. These international partnerships further strengthen SCE's dedication to providing students with exceptional global educational experiences.