A Chinese academic delegation is visiting NDSU through Aug. 24 and participating in a variety of instructional workshops. The group of 11 faculty members is from Zhejiang Economic and Trade Polytechnic in Hangzhou, China.

The group arrived in Fargo on July 31. They are taking part in workshops, corporate tours and special events. The workshops focus on the content of specific NDSU courses, development of syllabi, student learning outcomes, teaching methods, assessment procedures and testing methods.

The Chinese instructors teach in the areas of computer science, business and food safety. They are scheduled to meet with NDSU President Joseph A. Chapman and Provost Craig Schnell on Aug. 13. In addition, the group will be hosted at Valley City State University for two days by VCSU faculty and staff and President Steve Shirley.

The visitors are enrolled in a one-credit seminar with Kendall E. Nygard, NDSU professor of computer science, as the instructor of record. “It is likely that what they learn in our workshop will be adapted and used as the basis for courses to be offered in the future at their home institution,” said Nygard, who has journeyed to the Chinese campus twice. “This visit is intended to be a step in developing a much broader partnership with Zhejiang Economic and Trade Polytechnic that includes a twinning program for undergraduate students.”

Primary NDSU faculty members and instructors who are delivering the workshops and participating in the program are Nygard; Karen Froelich, associate professor of business; Joseph Latimer, instructor of management information systems; Jun Kong, assistant professor of computer science; Jin Li, assistant professor of business; Marvin LeNoue, instructor of English as a Second Language; and Deland Myers, director of the School of Food Safety.

With an enrollment of more than 6,000 students, Zhejiang Economic and Trade Polytechnic is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its founding this year.