Report on the Strategic Partnership between Slippery Rock University and Quanzhou University of Information Engineering

Introduction and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

On July 16, a high-level meeting was convened at Slippery Rock University (SRU) to advance its strategic partnership with Quanzhou University of Information Engineering (QUIE), China. This collaboration, established in 2018, serves as a significant model for international cooperation in higher education and directly supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• SDG 4 (Quality Education): The partnership ensures inclusive and equitable quality education by providing over 400 QUIE students with access to SRU’s business curriculum annually.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The initiative exemplifies a robust global partnership for sustainable development, fostering cross-border academic and cultural exchange.

Programmatic Impact and Contribution to Global Goals

The meeting, attended by Tony Nie, Vice President and Dean of QUIE’s School of International Education, and Prasad Vemala, Dean of SRU’s College of Business, focused on enhancing the program’s contributions to sustainable development through education.

1. Expanding Access to Quality Education (SDG 4): The core of the partnership involves the delivery of SRU School of Business courses to a large cohort of students in China, broadening their educational opportunities and equipping them with globally relevant skills.
2. Fostering Global Citizenship (SDG 4.7): The program includes opportunities for faculty cultural exchanges. This component is critical for developing educators and students as global citizens, enhancing mutual understanding and enriching pedagogical practices.
3. Strengthening Global Partnerships (SDG 17): The discussions aimed to identify new avenues for collaboration, reinforcing the long-term commitment of both institutions to strengthening educational ties and achieving shared goals.

Stakeholder Engagement and Future Outlook

The dialogue between key institutional leaders underscores a mutual dedication to advancing the partnership’s objectives. The primary stakeholders involved in the discussions included:

• Tony Nie, Vice President and Dean, School of International Education, QUIE
• Prasad Vemala, Dean, College of Business, SRU
• Additional SRU administrators and faculty

The continued success of this partnership not only enhances the academic offerings of both universities but also contributes to broader global objectives. By providing quality business education, the program supports future economic growth (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth) and builds resilient, cooperative international academic networks (SDG 17).

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 4: Quality Education

This goal is central to the article, which focuses on a partnership between two universities to provide educational opportunities. The collaboration aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education by allowing students from one university to access courses from another.

• Evidence from the article: The text explicitly mentions that the partnership “includes more than 400 QUIE students taking SRU School of Business courses in China each year.” This directly relates to providing access to quality higher education.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

This goal is addressed through the core subject of the article: a cross-border partnership between educational institutions. The collaboration between Quanzhou University of Information Engineering (China) and Slippery Rock University (USA) exemplifies an international partnership to achieve common objectives.

• Evidence from the article: The entire article describes the partnership, its initiation in 2018, and a meeting to “further enhance” it. This demonstrates a commitment to strengthening global partnerships to support sustainable development goals, in this case, education.

Specific Targets Identified

Targets under SDG 4: Quality Education

1. Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.
   • Explanation: The partnership provides students at QUIE with access to tertiary education (university-level business courses) from SRU, directly contributing to this target.
2. Target 4.b: By 2020, substantially expand globally the number of scholarships available to developing countries… for enrolment in higher education… in developed countries.
   • Explanation: While not mentioning scholarships, the program facilitates the enrollment of students from China in courses offered by a US university. This aligns with the target’s goal of increasing international higher education opportunities for students in developing countries.

Targets under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms.
   • Explanation: The partnership between a US university and a Chinese university is a form of North-South cooperation that facilitates knowledge sharing, specifically through the provision of business school curriculum and “opportunities for cultural exchanges for faculty.”
2. Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources.
   • Explanation: The collaboration between the two universities is a multi-stakeholder partnership that mobilizes and shares knowledge and expertise in the field of business education.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Indicators for SDG 4 Targets

• Indicator for Target 4.3: The article provides a direct quantitative measure that can be used as an indicator: “more than 400 QUIE students taking SRU School of Business courses in China each year.” This number serves as a direct indicator of the participation rate in this specific form of transnational tertiary education.

Indicators for SDG 17 Targets

• Indicator for Target 17.6: The existence and continuation of the partnership itself, initiated in 2018, serves as an indicator of international cooperation. The mention of “opportunities for cultural exchanges for faculty” is a qualitative indicator of knowledge sharing and capacity-building between the institutions.

Summary of Findings

Source: news.sru.edu