APSU College of Science and Mathematics, Communication University of China sign collaboration agreement

Clarksville, TN – Austin Peay State University and Communication University of China (CUC) recently signed an agreement that will see an international exchange of ideas, students and faculty in the fields of science and technology.

Four representatives from the Beijing-based institution visited APSU’s Clarksville campus Tuesday, July 28th and Wednesday, July 29th to tour the University’s facilities and meet with University representatives.

Following a presentation by University and local government officials, Xianglin Huang, Deputy Dean of the Communication University of China, and Dr. Jaime Taylor, Dean of the APSU College of Science and Mathematics, signed a memorandum of understanding.

Under the agreement, both institutions will collaborate in many ways for the next five years. Joint bachelor’s and master’s degree programs may be established, as well as short-term student student exchanges. The two institutions will also explore the possibility of faculty exchanges.

Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett, along with City of Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan, attended Tuesday’s presentation and spoke to the importance of the new agreement.

“It is an honor to have (CUC representatives) here on the campus of Austin Peay State University,” Durrett said. “Austin Peay is a great partner to our local community, and I think that (it only benefits both sides) to have this new collaboration from one side of the world to the other side of the world.”

The APSU College of Science and Mathematics includes the departments of agriculture, allied health sciences, biology, chemistry, computer science, geosciences, mathematics and statistics and physics and astronomy.

Taylor, who has served as dean since 2010, said the College is always working to extend its scope, and the new agreement with CUC will benefit both institutions.

“We are moving forward with several new initiatives in the computer science department and I hope that, as we develop this relationship, Austin Peay will end up with more (CUC) students in our program,” Taylor said.

For more information on the APSU College of Science and Mathematics, visit www.apsu.edu/cosm or call 931.221.7971. For information on the Communication University of China, visit its English-language site at www.cuc.edu.cn/en2/cuc.htm