UW鈥檚 President Young and Vice Provost for Global Affairs Riedinger visited China and Japan from October 26 to November 7, making stops in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. The leaders met with UW alumni and friends, parents of current UW students, as well as聽key institutional partners.
The trip marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for UW鈥檚 connection with international alumni, students, and parents. In Beijing and Shanghai, President Young and Vice Provost Riedinger connected with UW alumni and parents. Leadership groups of UW alumni living in China provided ideas for how UW can support the development of alumni organizations and deepen international alumni involvement.
In the first-ever meetings between university leadership and parents of international students in their home country, Vice Provost Riedinger was 鈥渋mpressed with the strength of [the parents鈥橾 affection for UW鈥� and their keen interest in the success of their daughters and sons, both inside and outside of the classroom.鈥� Feedback from the parent meetings highlighted the need for improved communication with international students and parents about the resources available at UW 鈥� from academic advising to faculty office hours.
Meetings with institutional partners focused on strengthening research partnerships, increasing collaboration among faculty, and creating additional opportunities for UW students to engage in research, internships, and experiential learning in China.