International Experts Visit NYU Shanghai

A group of scholars, researchers, and enterprise representatives from around the world visited NYU Shanghai on September 22 as part of a program exploring perspectives on China-US relations. The group toured the University’s New Bund campus and conversed with faculty and students on their perspectives on the people-to-people exchange between the two nations. 

“It's so great that you're here in China on the ground, seeing it firsthand, visiting, listening, and looking,” said Provost Joanna Waley-Cohen in her welcome to the group. “Our particular mission is to train young people from around the world to master the skills of cross-cultural effectiveness in this very mixed community.” She shared her experiences working and living in China, and stressed the importance of academic and cultural exchange, citing examples, sharing stories of Chinese, American, and other international students studying side by side at NYU Shanghai and learning from one another.

Co-organized by Johns Hopkins University-Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies and Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, the week-long “Shanghai Nanjing Plus 2023” program provides an opportunity for professionals from the world’s top research institutes and enterprises – most of whom are Hopkins-Nanjing Center alumni -- to visit Chinese think tanks, universities, companies, and cultural sites, and to exchange ideas with their Chinese counterparts. 

_{Michael Clark of Center for American Progress (first left), Head of Markets Research at Trivium China Dinny McMahon, and Vybes Co-Founder Sam Lipoff among the experts touring the campus, accompanied by Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs David Pe (right).}

After being greeted by Vice Chancellor Jeffrey Lehman, the experts toured the University’s signature facilities and departments including Center of Career Development, the John Sexton Bridge, IMA studio, and the Magnolia House.

An open dialogue with faculty, undergraduate and graduate student representatives, moderated by Associate Professor of Practice in Political Science Ivan Rasmussen, helped the visitors understand what it is like studying and working in China. 

Associate Professor of Art History Zuo Lala shared that she joined NYU Shanghai because she believed in the University’s mission. After doing years of research in North America, Associate Professor of Psychology Cui Lixian said he was eager to return to China to compare how Chinese culture influences parenting and children’s social and emotional development in various contexts. Assistant Professor of Mathematics Mac Huang and Assistant Professor of Urban Studies Tyler Haupert also attended the event.

_{Associate Professor of Psychology Cui Lixian (middle) among the faculty representatives.}

The panel and expert group conversed with the NYU Shanghai community representatives on a variety of topics, including future plans and the realities of doing research in China. 

Journalist-turned researcher Dinny McMahon, who now works at Trivium China as Head of Market Research, was interested in learning what students plan to do after they graduate in light of current bilateral relations. International Relations major Caitlin McMahon ’24 told the audience that she plans to return to the US, yet would “love to have the connection to China in the future.” Graduate student Chen Huaiyu, student of Master of Science program in Organization Management & Strategy, said considering the current employment rate in China, he would like to help Chinese businesses succeed in the US market after he graduates.

_{Kia Muleta (middle) of the Africa Initiative at the Center for Global Development asking students a question. China Studies researcher Laure Pallze on the left.}

Kia Muleta, who works at the Africa Initiative at the Center for Global Development in Washington, DC, raised the question on how NYU Shanghai Student Government mitigates differences among a diverse student body including international and Chinese students. Student Government President Li Peirong explained that the Student Government organizes round tables to bring students from both sides together, whenever differences appear, to provide a platform for students to listen to each other’s perspectives with respect and ultimately break down barriers and find solutions.

This is the second group that came to NYU Shanghai in a month, following Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo’s delegation’s visit last month. “A good Sino-American relationship will give us good stories to tell our offspring,” Chancellor Tong Shijun said when he met the group. “I hope we can work together to make that happen.”