On the morning of Sept. 21, 2026, a delegation led by Dr. Steven Duke, director of International and Off-Campus Programs at Augustana College, visited Central China Normal University (CCNU). The two universities held a meeting at the School of Foreign Languages, with representatives from the school and CCNU’s Office of Global Engagement in attendance.
Luo Lianggong, dean of the School of Foreign Languages, introduced the school’s academic programs, student development, and research activities. He noted that CCNU and Augustana share a long-standing foundation of cooperation, and expressed hope that, in addition to strengthening the exchange of visiting foreign faculty, the two institutions would pursue joint cross-national research and co-host international academic conferences under the shared goal of dialogue among civilizations and people-to-people exchanges.
Ruan Shao, deputy director of the Office of Global Engagement, gave an overview of CCNU’s profile, scale, comprehensive academic strengths, and cooperation with the United States. She said Augustana is a valued partner with nearly 40 years of friendly ties, and expressed hope that both universities would carry forward the friendship, actively implement the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2025, and advance practical cooperation in student and faculty mobility and joint research.
Norm Moline, former coordinator of Augustana’s East Asia fall exchange program, reviewed 38 years of exchanges between the two institutions and noted that Augustana was among the earliest American colleges to establish exchanges with China. Since 1988, nearly 1,000 Augustana students have visited CCNU; a total of 81 Augustana graduates and faculty members have taught at CCNU’s School of Foreign Languages; and CCNU has sent 17 faculty members to Augustana for exchange visits. He expressed hope that the two universities would deepen their friendship and continue recruiting and sending qualified visiting foreign teachers.
Dr. Steven Duke said the two universities have maintained close ties over the years and have contributed to China–U.S. people-to-people exchanges. Noting that Augustana is home to the Mississippi River Studies Center and has expertise in river and environmental monitoring, he looked forward to building on their long friendship to explore student exchange, faculty visits, and joint research.
During the meeting, the two universities exchanged views on student and faculty mobility, visiting foreign faculty, and academic collaboration. They agreed to take the visit as an opportunity to advance new practical cooperation and support China–U.S. higher education exchanges.
During their stay, the Augustana delegation also toured CCNU’s history museum and held a discussion with students from the School of Foreign Languages.
Chinese